Applicability and usability of eLABS for HIV viral load management in rural Mozambique
Abstract
Mobile laboratory information systems can strengthen HIV viral load (HIV-VL) testing in low-resource settings by improving sample tracking and result reporting. This study evaluated the applicability and usability of eLABS, a smartphone-based workflow system, for HIV-VL result management in Govuro District, Inhambane Province, Mozambique. A retrospective analysis was conducted between February 2023 and January 2024 to compare one eLABS site with three non-eLABS sites. We assessed usability, turnaround time (TAT), and viral suppression rates. The records included 643 from the eLABS site and 2,097 from non-eLABS sites. The System Usability Score (SUS) was 77, which is above the benchmark threshold, and the median electronic result acknowledgment time was less than 1 day. The mean TAT was slightly longer in the eLABS site (25 days vs. 22 days), mainly due to interoperability and infrastructure challenges. Viral suppression rates were higher in the eLABS facility (87.2% vs. 82.0%; OR 1.50, 95% CI: 1.14–1.98, χ2 = 8.95, p = 0.00028). Overall, eLABS demonstrated strong user acceptability and effective applicability for HIV-VL management, showing potential to improve program outcomes despite systemic challenges.
Related
- A theory-driven mobile application based on iterative collaborative design principles to support depression self-management in older adults: development and usability evaluation of “Mind Garden”
- Symptom Management Following Radioactive Iodine Treatment in Adults With Thyroid Cancer: Usability Evaluation and Proof-of-Concept Study
- Impact of a 24/7 multiplex-PCR on the management of patients with confirmed viral meningitis
- Financial Cost Analysis of DREAMS Clinic-Based and Community Programs in Two Provinces of Mozambique, October 2022 to June 2023
- Impact of skin-to-skin contact during postnatal transport in a low-resource setting: a prospective, observational study in Mozambique
BibTeX
@article{anapakala2026applicability,
title = {{Applicability and usability of eLABS for HIV viral load management in rural Mozambique}},
author = {Elda Anapakala and Kumbirai Chigudu and Armando Nhanombe and Atanásio Dimande and Njongo Ntlangeni and Lesley Scott and Wendy Stevens and Ilesh Jani and Lynsey Stewart-Isherwood and Sofia Viegas},
journal = {Frontiers in Public Health},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.3389/fpubh.2026.1920280},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1920280},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Applicability and usability of eLABS for HIV viral load management in rural Mozambique
AU - Elda Anapakala
AU - Kumbirai Chigudu
AU - Armando Nhanombe
AU - Atanásio Dimande
AU - Njongo Ntlangeni
AU - Lesley Scott
AU - Wendy Stevens
AU - Ilesh Jani
AU - Lynsey Stewart-Isherwood
AU - Sofia Viegas
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/05
JO - Frontiers in Public Health
DO - 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1920280
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1920280
AB - Mobile laboratory information systems can strengthen HIV viral load (HIV-VL) testing in low-resource settings by improving sample tracking and result reporting. This study evaluated the applicability and usability of eLABS, a smartphone-based workflow system, for HIV-VL result management in Govuro District, Inhambane Province, Mozambique. A retrospective analysis was conducted between February 2023 and January 2024 to compare one eLABS site with three non-eLABS sites. We assessed usability, turnaround time (TAT), and viral suppression rates. The records included 643 from the eLABS site and 2,097 from non-eLABS sites. The System Usability Score (SUS) was 77, which is above the benchmark threshold, and the median electronic result acknowledgment time was less than 1 day. The mean TAT was slightly longer in the eLABS site (25 days vs. 22 days), mainly due to interoperability and infrastructure challenges. Viral suppression rates were higher in the eLABS facility (87.2% vs. 82.0%; OR 1.50, 95% CI: 1.14–1.98, χ2 = 8.95, p = 0.00028). Overall, eLABS demonstrated strong user acceptability and effective applicability for HIV-VL management, showing potential to improve program outcomes despite systemic challenges.
SN - 2296-2565
ER -