Clinicians’ Adherence to Implementation of Test, Treat and Track Strategy for Malaria Control among Children Under-five Years in Ho Municipality, Volta Region, Ghana
Journal Title: International Journal of TROPICAL DISEASE & Health - Year 2016, Vol 20, Issue 1
Abstract
Background: The World Health Organization emphasized testing and confirming every suspected malaria case with either Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) or microscopy before treatment with anti-malarial drugs. Over 80% of cases in endemic countries of Africa are still treated without diagnostic test. This study presented an assessment of the adherence of clinicians to implementation of the Test, Treat and Track (T3) strategy for malaria control among children under-five years in Ho municipality of the Volta region of Ghana. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 10 facilities comprising 7 public and 3 private in 2015. The survey was to determine the number of fever cases that were tested before Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) was prescribed, if tracking of patients was done by clinicians, and the challenges to implementation of the T3 strategy among children under-five years. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire, and analysed using SPSS version 20, at the level 0.05. Results: Of the 300 children under-five years, 82% reported to the health facilities with fever. Only 58.5% of these fever cases was tested, out of which 52.8% was confirmed malaria positive, whilst 43.8% tested negative for malaria. All confirmed and unconfirmed cases were treated with ACT. About 61.5% of the cases treated were not asked to return for review. Majority (80%) of the clinicians cited frequent RDT stock-out as the major challenge to their adherence to the T3 policy. Conclusions: Adherence to the test of fever cases by clinicians was poor. Also, a substantial proportion of the untested fever cases were presumptively treated with ACT as malaria. Adherence to the use of ACT for the treatment of all malaria cases was overwhelming. The Ministry of Health/Ghana Health Service should ensure adequate and sustained supply of RDTs and ACTs to both public and private health facilities. Clinicians should be sensitized on the T3 policy.
Authors and Affiliations
Christopher Kankpetinge, Margaret Kweku, Frank Baiden, Eric Agboli, Damian Akapoeh, Elvis Tarkang, Ishmael Norman, Fred Newton Binka
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP328978
- DOI 10.9734/IJTDH/2016/29468
- Views 41
- Downloads 0
Laboratory Services at Primary Health Centers under the Lens: A Need for Overhaul
Objective: To analyze the status of laboratory services at Primary Health Centers (PHCs) comparing the tribal and non-tribal areas, especially in the context of a decade since implementation of the National Rural Health...
Study of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs): Gastrointestinal Parasites in School Children of Lolodorf Neighborhood, South Region, Cameroon
Background: Intestinal parasitic infections are still endemic in many parts of Cameroon and for effective control measures, epidemiological data are indispensable. This will enable adequate recommendations for the Nation...
Nine Years of Malaria Cases in Bangladesh: A Time Series Analysis
Aims: Bangladesh, a malaria endemic country in South East Asia Region, has successfully decreased malaria over the years through the adoption of different strategies. Still, this is un-notified and no systematic malaria...
Neonatal Outcomes of Mothers with Hypothyroidism in the Third Trimester
Aims: To determine the relationship between maternal hypothyroidism and preterm birth, neonatal low birth weight and neonatal thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Durat...
The Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites among Students in Federal University of Technology Akure, Nigeria
Aims: The study is undertaken to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites and the predisposing factors that make the students to be susceptible to intestinal parasitic infections in the study area. Study Design:...