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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
Use and limitations of malaria rapid diagnostic testing by community health workers in war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo
Malaria Journal, Volume 8, No. 1, Article 308, Year 2009
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Description
Background. Accurate and practical malaria diagnostics, such as immunochromatographic rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), have the potential to avert unnecessary treatments and save lives. Volunteer community health workers (CHWs) represent a potentially valuable human resource for expanding this technology to where it is most needed, remote rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa with limited health facilities and personnel. This study reports on a training programme for CHWs to incorporate RDTs into their management strategy for febrile children in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a tropical African setting ravaged by human conflict. Methods. Prospective cohort study, satisfaction questionnaire and decision analysis. Results. Twelve CHWs were trained to safely and accurately perform and interpret RDTs, then successfully implemented rapid diagnostic testing in their remote community in a cohort of 357 febrile children. CHWs were uniformly positive in evaluating RDTs for their utility and ease of use. However, high malaria prevalence in this cohort (93% by RDTs, 88% by light microscopy) limited the cost-effectiveness of RDTs compared to presumptive treatment of all febrile children, as evidenced by findings from a simplified decision analysis. Conclusions. CHWs can safely and effectively use RDTs in their management of febrile children; however, cost-effectiveness of RDTs is limited in zones of high malaria prevalence. © 2009 Hawkes et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
Authors & Co-Authors
Hawkes, Michael T.
Canada, Toronto
University of Toronto
Canada, Toronto
Hospital for Sick Children University of Toronto
Katsuva, Jean Paul
Congo
Institut Supérieur Des Techniques Médicales de Kisangani
Claude, Kasereka Masumbuko
Unknown Affiliation
Statistics
Citations: 91
Authors: 3
Affiliations: 3
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1186/1475-2875-8-308
e-ISSN:
14752875
Research Areas
Health System And Policy
Infectious Diseases
Maternal And Child Health
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Cohort Study
Study Approach
Quantitative
Study Locations
Congo