Assessing the Diagnosis of Uncomplicated Malaria after Introduction of Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Tests

Abstract

Background: Morbidity and mortality resulting from malaria remains a serious obstacle for social and economic development. Accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment are therefore essential components of case management strategy. The aim of this study therefore was to examine the diagnostic procedure of uncomplicated malaria, and patients’ understanding and satisfaction of treatment in Community Health Care Facilities, three years after the deployment of Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Tests in Ghana. Methodology: A prospective and data collation was done randomly, by means of cluster and stratified multistage surveyat three government hospitals and three private pharmacies in Kumasi, Ghana, between July and September, 2013. Patients treated for uncomplicated malaria, while leaving the health facility, upon consent, were selected and requested to answer questionnaires which served as a source of data to address the objective of the study. Bivariate statistics from the SPSS v 19 was employed to predict the relationships between health institutions and mode of diagnosis, patients’ understanding and satisfaction of services. Results: Fifty-three (53) out of 65 patients responded. The study indicated presumptive diagnosis [44 (83.0%)] to be predominantly used over test-based diagnosis [9 (17.0%)]. The mean age of patients was 34.44±14.8 years (Range 17-66). Out of 52 patients who provided information on educational level, those with tertiary education were 24 (46.2%), secondary were 9 (17.3%), primary were 14 (26.9%) and no formal education were 14 (26.9%). Male patients were 25 (47.2%) and female 28 (52.8%). All 53 patients were given Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy at the various health facilities. Of 35 patients at hospitals/clinics, 15 (42.9%) rated “very good value” to explain their understanding and satisfaction of services provided, and of 18 patients from private pharmacies, 10 (55.6%) rated as “very good value”. Patients with tertiary education [14/25 (56.0%)] showed better understanding and satisfaction of services than those with no formal education [1/25 (4.0%)]. Not a single use of Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Tests for diagnosis was recorded. Conclusion: Diagnosis of malaria at the periphery of health systems is still mainly presumptive three years after deployment of the Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test. Patients’ good rating on the diagnosis of uncomplicated malaria at private pharmacies, should be an advantage to introducing the Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Tests by healthcare practitioners.