Effectiveness and Determinants of Laboratory Quality Management System Mentorship in Oromia Region Health Facilities, Ethiopia
Belay Tadesse, Wayu Bedasso, Seifudin Usman, Geritu Nuro, Daba Mulleta, Biftu Geda and Musa Kumbi
Abstarct
Mentorship in the laboratory refers to a structured relationship where seasoned professionals guide those who are less experienced, enhancing their skills and knowledge. It plays a vital role in the implementation of a Quality Management System, which fosters continuous improvement and guarantees reliable services. Despite 16 years of efforts to establish Laboratory Quality Management Systems (LQMS) in Ethiopia, expected improvements in laboratory services have not been achieved. The current study aimed to assess the impact of mentorship and the factors affecting the Laboratory Quality Management System on the quality of laboratory services in health facilities within the Oromia region. A combination of qualitative and quantitative data was utilized, including in-depth interviews. Data were gathered from 2014 to 2016, with additional collection in 2025 using a tool called Kobo, and subsequently analyzed using SPSS. Our findings indicate that mentorship has a significant impact, with a sample size of n=44. (30.6%) of facilities saw an improvement in their star ratings due to mentorship. Regular visits from mentors (AOR=9.51(1.96, 46.20), ongoing training and careful planning (AOR=4.43(1.20, 16.43), effective management review (AOR=6.40(1.50, 27.66), and sufficient infrastructure (AOR=13.74(1.62, 116.66) had significant positive impacts. Conversely, increased documentation requirements (AOR=0.59(0.23, 1.47) and routine workloads (AOR=4.09(0.94-17.73) were negatively correlated. The findings highlight that mentorship plays a crucial role in enhancing laboratory services and quality. The results of this research can guide efforts to improve laboratory quality in the Oromia region. By prioritizing mentorship and addressing existing challenges, institutions can foster a culture of quality enhancement. This study primarily provides region-specific evidence on the effectiveness of Laboratory Quality Management System (LQMS) mentorship in health facilities within the Oromia Region and highlights the key factors involved.
