Authors : Clifford Dale S. Lagasca; Francesca Rafael O. Jerusalem; Jasper Y. Lee; Julyan Jazmine P. Leonida; Hannah Mae P. Liao; Alexandra Marie M. Linsangan; Laarni E. Gloriani
Volume/Issue : Volume 6 - 2021, Issue 5 - May
Google Scholar : http://bitly.ws/9nMw
Scribd : https://bit.ly/3vgdfQo
Chikungunya infection is commonly found in
tropical countries such as the Philippines. The study aims
to assess the perception of registered medical
technologists (RMTs) on the sensitivity, specificity, and
turnaround time of the diagnostic assays for chikungunya
in clinical laboratories around Metro Manila and Rizal. A
descriptive survey was conducted among 51 RMTs
wherein only 45 had previous knowledge and/or
experience with the diagnostic assays utilized for
chikungunya. The perception of the RMTs was assessed
using a survey that consists of a 5-point Likert scale on
their perceptions regarding the sensitivity, specificity, and
turnaround time of the different diagnostic assays and a
7-point Likert scale on their perception on its
appropriateness. A total of 34 respondents were from
Metro Manila and 11 were from Rizal. Overall, the most
renowned diagnostic assays were the Rapid
Immunochromatographic Diagnostic Test) and the
Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)). The
correlation between the factors considered (sensitivity,
specificity, turnaround time) in a diagnostic assay and its
appropriateness was only statistically significant in the
Rapid Immunochromatographic Diagnostic Test and the
ELISA. The Rapid Immunochromatographic Diagnostic
Tests revealed a statistically significant low positive
correlation between its sensitivity and appropriateness
and between its specificity and appropriateness. Whereas
the results for ELISA only revealed a statistically
significant low negative correlation between its
turnaround time and appropriateness. Future
researchers should increase the sample size and extend
the inclusion criteria to a wider scope of location in the
Philippines for a better assessment of the differences in
diagnostic assays. Additionally, future researchers may
conduct the study with an extended time frame for
possible interviews with participants.
Keywords : Chikungunya; Clinical Laboratories; Diagnostic Assays; Medical Technologists