Task sharing for point-of-care testing: Review of national health policies and implementation landscape in 19 African countries

The World Health Organization recommends task sharing (TS) for point-of-care testing (POCT) with lay health workers (LHW) to improve access when professional capacity is limited. Despite the many benefits of POCT, TS remains underutilized. This study examined national policies and the implementation landscape for TS of POCT with LHW in 19 African countries. We conducted a mixed-methods study from November 2024 to March 2025 using an online cross-sectional survey with stakeholders from national ministries of health, medical associations, private laboratories, implementation supporting partners, and LHWs. We also conducted a document review of national health strategic and policy documents, as well as key informant interviews (KII) with national laboratory directors. Participants were recruited via standardized emails, whilst documents were obtained through direct requests and online searches. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, and framework analysis was used for the qual..., , # Task sharing for point-of-care testing: Review of national health policies and implementation landscape in 19 African countries

Dataset DOI: [10.5061/dryad.4b8gthtsr](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.4b8gthtsr)

## Description of the data and file structure

An electronic questionnaire, ‘Assessment of Point-of-Care Task-sharing Environment’ (APoCTe), was developed and sent via email to potential respondents. The tool collected semi-quantitative and qualitative data across four domains: policies and governance of TS for POC tests; LHW training and deployment; monitoring and sustainability; and costs or impacts of TS models. The tool was adapted to the Kobo Toolbox platform.

### Files and variables

#### File: TS_survey_2025_eng_11dec.csv

#### **Description:** 

##### Variables

* Is there a dedicated national policy and or strategy document/s that support TS POCT with LHW
* Are there any laws that prohibit LHW from conducting POCT
* Do you think that TS POCT with LHW has added value
* ..., All data variable that could re-identify study participants were removed. We received consent from participants to publish the de-identified data.