Clinical, Operational, and Economic Evaluation of Point-of-Care X-Ray Use in Outbreak Response in Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Mixed-Methods Study

Why It Matters

POC X‑ray can accelerate diagnosis and triage in resource‑limited outbreak settings, but scaling requires investment in training and maintenance infrastructure.

Key Takeaways

• POC X‑ray rated 4.6/5 for rapid triage
• Physicians 85% more likely to value POC X‑ray
• Field workers double odds of high utility perception
• 75% cite lack of skilled operators as barrier
• High costs and support limit widespread adoption

Pulse Analysis

Portable imaging technologies have become a strategic asset for low‑resource health systems, especially when conventional radiology suites are inaccessible during emergencies. Point‑of‑care X‑ray units combine mobility with sufficient image quality to inform clinical decisions on the front lines, reducing patient transfers and enabling faster isolation of contagious cases. In the context of Nigeria’s frequent respiratory outbreaks, such devices can bridge diagnostic gaps that traditionally hamper containment efforts, offering a tangible advantage over symptom‑based screening alone.

The Nigerian study provides quantitative evidence that clinicians view POC X‑ray as a high‑impact tool, with a mean utility rating of 4.6 out of 5. Logistic regression revealed that physicians are 1.85 times more likely, and field responders 2.10 times more likely, to deem the technology extremely valuable, underscoring the importance of professional cadre and field exposure. Experience and familiarity further amplify perceived benefit, suggesting that targeted training programs could exponentially increase adoption rates. Policymakers can leverage these odds ratios to prioritize funding for workforce development alongside equipment procurement.

Nevertheless, the research highlights systemic obstacles that could stall deployment. Over three‑quarters of respondents flagged a shortage of skilled operators, while 70% pointed to prohibitive operational costs and 60% lamented inadequate technical support. Addressing these constraints will require coordinated investment in certification pathways, cost‑sharing maintenance contracts, and local service hubs. As global health agencies emphasize rapid diagnostic capacity, integrating POC X‑ray into outbreak preparedness plans could yield both clinical and economic returns, provided the supporting ecosystem is robustly funded.