Functionality status of medical laboratory instruments And factors affecting their functionality among public Hospitals in jimma zone, southwest Ethiopia 2025

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.