The (In)visibility of Misdiagnosis in Point-of-Care HIV Testing in Zimbabwe. Issue 4 (19th May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Skovdal, Morten; Beckmann, Nadine; Maswera, Rufurwokuda; Nyamukapa, Constance; Gregson, Simon
• Is Part Of: Medical anthropology. Volume 41:Issue 4(2022)
• Page Start: 404
• Page End: 417
• Publication Date: 2022-05-19
• Subjects: Zimbabwe -- HIV test-kits -- diagnostics -- misdiagnosis -- point-of-care testing; Medical anthropology -- Periodicals; 362.1
• DOI: 10.1080/01459740.2022.2054715
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0145-9740

Abstract

ABSTRACT: There is a global trend to introduce point-of-care diagnostic tests, enabling healthcare workers at any level to test, provide results, and initiate immediate treatment if necessary. This article explores how healthcare workers conducting rapid HIV tests – in contexts of limited external quality assurance mechanisms – ascertain the accuracy of their test results. Drawing on interview data and participant observations from health facilities in Zimbabwe, we open the black box of misdiagnosis (in)visibility and reveal a range of proxies and markers that HIV testers draw on to develop certainty, or question, the reliability of their diagnostic classifications.