Page | 1 Mimano L.N, Ferrari G, Kapanda G, Lisasi E, Kulanga A, Nyombi B, Muiruri C, Kessi E, Bartlett J and Ntabaye M. MedEdPublish 2015, 5: 8 http://dx.doi.org/10.15694/mep.2015.005.0008 Student perceptions on the introduction of training in diagnostic laboratory techniques in an African school of medicine Mimano L.N, Ferrari G, Kapanda G, Lisasi E, Kulanga A, Nyombi B, Muiruri C, Kessi E, Bartlett J and Ntabaye M Received: 05/05/2015 Accepted: 20/05/2015 Published: 20/05/2015 Abstract Introduction: Laboratory infrastructure and expertise are lacking in sub-Saharan Africa. Historically medical students have not received formal instruction in the use of diagnostic laboratory techniques. Medical students were taught a core competency course that included laboratory safety, sample collection, processing and handling, microscopy and the use of rapid diagnostic tests. Training complemented topics covered in their didactic course work, and varied according to their medical school class year. Methods: A wet laboratory was created and equipped with an audiovisual (AV) system. A questionnaire using a 5-point Likert scale was developed to evaluate student perceptions in four domains; Knowledge/skills gained, Course content, Instructor and AV system aspects. Data was collected over 2 months from medical students in years 1, 2 & 4, analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17.0, and the mean scores and the strength of consensus measure (sCns) were calculated. Evaluation: 221 students (53 MD1, 110 MD2, and 58 MD3) participated in the survey. Overall, student perception scores were highly positive with a high sCns. The mean scores ranged from 3.9 to 4.7, and the strength of consensus measure exceeded 80% in 12/13 variables measured. Conclusion: Student perceptions were very positive with a high sCns. Keywords: Basic laboratory Sciences, African schools of medicine, resource-limited setting Article Background Diagnostic laboratory support is a critical component of successfully addressing the challenges posed by high rates of communicable and non-communicable diseases in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), and this support is frequently not available (Elbireer, Jackson, Sendagire, Opio, Bagenda and Amukele, 2013; Okesina, 2009; Mullan, Frehywot, Omaswa, Buch, Chen et al, 2011). Accurate laboratory results enable early disease detection, which can result in appropriate diagnoses and treatment, and reduce treatment cost. For example, the diagnosis of infectious diseases without laboratory confirmation occurs routinely in sub Saharan Africa and misdiagnosis is common due to limited access to reliable diagnostic testing (Polage, Bedu-Addo, Owusu- Article Open Access Corresponding author: Lucy Mimano Lucymimano@gmail.com Department: Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi Tanzania