Acceptance and potential barriers to effective use of diagnostic tests for visceral leishmaniasis in an urban area in Brazil.

INTRODUCTION

Acceptance of the IT LEISH(r) and direct agglutination test- made in the Laboratório de Pesquisas Clínicas (DAT-LPC) by healthcare professionals and patients suspected of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in Ribeirão das Neves was evaluated.

METHODS

Ninety-two patients and 47 professionals completed three questionnaires.

RESULTS

Eighty-eight (96%) patients considered fingertip blood collection a positive test feature, and 86% (37) and 91% of professionals considered the IT LEISH(r) easy to perform and interpret, respectively. All professionals classified the DAT-LPC as simple and easy.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients and healthcare professionals in Ribeirão das Neves demonstrated a high degree of acceptance of the IT LEISH(r) and DAT-LPC.