Abstract:
Background: Lack of proper management of laboratory equipment limited the capacity of health
institutions to deliver adequate health care and a lot of equipment becoming non-functional.
Properly functioning laboratory equipment is a critical component for strengthening health
systems in developing countries. However, limited studies conducted on functionality status of
laboratory equipment and factor associated with their functionality in Jimma Zone public
hospitals.
Objectives: To assess the functionality status of Medical Laboratory Equipment and factors
affecting their functionality among Public hospitals in Jimma zone, Southwest Ethiopia 2025.
Methods and Materials: A cross-sectional study design was conducted. The 8 public hospitals
and one teaching and referral hospital (JUMCL) found in Jimma zone were included in the
study, from February to May 2025. Adapted and pre-tested structured English version
questionnaires and observation checklists were used for data collection. The data were entered
into Epi Data version 3.1 and exported for analysis by using a SPSS version 20. Descriptive
statistics, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were carried out. A P-value of less than
0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The study revealed that a total of 228 selected medical laboratory equipment were
available in assessed public hospitals, among which functional 136(59.65%), non- functional
78(34.21%) and 14(6.14%) are not in use/stored respectively. The significant associated factors
for the medical laboratory equipment functionality were preventive maintenance culture (AOR,
2.8), availability of adequate spare parts and accessories (AOR, 4.4), availability of trained
biomedical laboratory technician for each equipment (AOR 2.8), presence of operation or
maintaining manual for each equipment (AOR, 2.5), Periodic/regular monitoring and inspection
practice/culture (AOR, 3.4) and power supply stability (AOR, 3).
Conclusion and recommendation: More than a third of laboratory equipment was non
functional. The study also shown that the Preventive maintenance, availability of spare parts and
trained BMLT, and power stability were factors associated with equipment functionality. Based
on our findings, we recommend laboratories should have proper forecasting and stock
replenishment to procuring of reagents, spare parts and should have a scheduled preventive
maintenance, electrical backup system and capability building for biomedical technicians.
