title: The availability and functional status of focused antenatal care laboratory services at public health facilities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Provision of quality laboratory services is an essential aspect of a promoting safe motherhood and better outcomes for newborn. Therefore; this study was intended to assess status of focused antenatal care (FANC) laboratory services at public health facilities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Institution based, descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from April to May 2015. The study included 13 randomly selected health facilities and 13 purposively selected laboratory service providers. The status of FANC laboratory service was assessed by using pre-tested structured questionnaire and observation checklist. The study supplemented with qualitative data through in-depth interview of laboratory service providers. The quantitative data were coded and analysed by using SPSS Version 20 software and qualitative data was transcribed, coded, categorized and thematically analysed by the principal investigator.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only 5 (38.5 %) out of 13 visited health facilities reported the availability of all types of basic FANC laboratory investigations. Comparing the availability of individual tests in the study facilities, urine dipstick, urine microscopy and stool examination were available in all institutions. However, only 7 (53.8 %) of the health facilities reported the availability of hepatitis B virus screening test. Rapid syphilis (RPR) test was found in 10 (76.9 %) facilities. All laboratory facilities had at least one or more basic FANC laboratory tests interruption for more than a day within the last 1 year due to shortage of reagent and electric power disruption.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Majority of the health facilities reported incomplete provision of FANC laboratory investigations. Laboratory supply shortage and electric power disruption were the facilities' major challenge to screen pregnant women for pregnancy related health conditions. Since such conditions may affect the outcome of pregnancy, therefore extensive efforts should be targeted to avoid services interruption by taking improvement measures including the fulfilment of all FANC laboratory resources.
authors: Addis Ababa Public Health Research and Emergency Management Core Process, Addis Ababa City Administration Health Bureau, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. danimelese2013@gmail.com.
authors: Daniel Melese
authors: DM
authors: Desalegn
authors: Technology Transfer and Research Translation, Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
authors: Serebe
authors: S
authors: Abay
authors: School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
authors: Bineyam
authors: B
authors: Taye
mesh_terms: D064790:Clinical Laboratory Services; D005002:Ethiopia; D005260:Female; D006268:Health Facilities; D006295:Health Resources; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care; D011634:Public Health; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care
keywords: Addis Ababa; Availability; Ethiopia; Focused antenatal care laboratory service; Functional status