Assessing compliance with sputum specimen management protocols in Mfantseman Municipality, June 2025

Introduction: Tuberculosis remains a major public health challenge in Ghana, with accurate diagnosis relying on the quality of sputum specimens. Despite existing national guidelines, adherence to sputum specimen management protocols is inconsistent, especially in peripheral health facilities. This study assessed the preparedness and compliance of referring facilities in Mfantseman Municipality with the National Tuberculosis Control Programme’s (NTP) sputum management standards. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted between January and June 2025 in five facilities with the highest sputum submissions. Approximately 20 healthcare workers directly involved in sputum management participated and were interviewed using structured questionnaires. Facility practices were evaluated using an observational checklist adapted from the NTP and the Africa Society of Laboratory Medicine guidelines. Data were analyzed in STATA 17 using descriptive statistics. Results: There were 20 healthcare workers with equal male to female ratio. Staff knowledge was generally high (median score: 80%) but misconceptions about storage and transport conditions existed in all facilities. Only one facility had a functional refrigerator with none having standard operating procedures (SOP) for cold chain management. Three facilities (60%) adhered to correct specimen handling, while key biosafety measures were lacking in all facilities. Conclusion: The study revealed major deficiencies in logistics, biosafety, and adherence. Strengthening infrastructure, SOP implementation, and staff training is critical to enhance tuberculosis diagnostic reliability in Ghana.