Biorisk Management Performance and Associated Factors in Public Health Laboratories in Southwestern Uganda

Authored By: Joseph Nkodyo M

Authors: Joseph Nkodyo Mukasa¹,², Edgar M. Mulogo²

Affiliations: ¹National Health Laboratory and Diagnostic Services, Ministry of Health, Uganda; ²Department of Community Health, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Uganda

Corresponding Author: nk*****@***il.com

Background

Public health laboratories (PHLs) routinely handle biological specimens, reagents, and chemicals that may expose staff and communities to infectious hazards. Uganda’s Ministry of Health has instituted measures to strengthen biorisk management (BRM); however, evidence on the level of BRM performance and determinants of good practice remains limited.

Objectives

To assess BRM performance and identify factors associated with acceptable practices among PHLs in southwestern Uganda.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 110 PHLs across Ankole, Kigezi, and Rwenzori subregions. Data were collected using a standardized BRM assessment tool developed by the National Health Laboratory and Diagnostic Services (NHLDS) and deployed via ODK. Data were cleaned in Microsoft Excel and analyzed using STATA version 17. BRM performance was categorized as acceptable or unacceptable. Factors were examined using binary logistic regression at both bivariate and multivariable levels with 95% confidence intervals.

Results

Only 17.1% (18/110) of PHLs demonstrated acceptable BRM performance. At bivariate analysis, significant factors included facility accreditation (cOR = 6.64, 95% CI:
2.17–20.3), participation in the SLMTA program (cOR = 0.20, 95% CI: 0.07–0.60), presence of staff with a master’s degree (cOR = 5.4, 95% CI: 1.84–15.8), and presence of staff with a PhD (cOR = 8.34, 95% CI: 1.3–54). At multivariable analysis, only accreditation remained significant (aOR = 5.02, 95% CI: 1.15–21.9).

Conclusion

Most PHLs in southwestern Uganda exhibited suboptimal BRM performance, with accreditation emerging as the strongest predictor of acceptable practice.

Recommendations

Efforts to expand laboratory accreditation and integrate BRM standards into routine laboratory systems should be prioritized to enhance biosafety and biosecurity nationally.

Keywords

Biorisk management, Accreditation, Public health laboratories, Biosafety, Uganda

Joseph Nkodyo earned his BSc in Medical Laboratory Services from the International Health Sciences University and an MSc in Health Policy, Planning and Financing from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Since that time he has worked in the government public health sector including as a Laboratory Scientist for the Central Public Health Laboratories, as the Biosecurity Officer for the Uganda National Health Laboratory Services and as the Budget Focal Person for the National Disease Control and Public Health Emergency Operations Centre. Over the years Joseph has demonstrated his strengths in leadership and passion for team building in the area of health laboratory services. Joseph earned his Professional Certification in Biorisk Management in 2016 and is a self-motivated and dedicated medical laboratory scientist with an interest in Global Health Security, policy formulation, strategic planning and budgeting.

Author's Career Title: National coordinator Biosafety Biosecurity program

Author's Education: Masters in public health