Title:
Improving Access to Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test in Niger State Nigeria: An Assessment of Implementation Up to 2013
Authors:
Olatunji, Awoleye Joshua
Year:
2014
Language:
En
Subject:
Laboratory Quality Strengthening
Keywords:
HMIS, RDTs, Malaria, Niger, Accessibility
Abstract:
Background: Nigeria adopted the WHO diagnosis and treatment guidelines within the framework of its 2009-2013 strategic plan, which included the use of Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) prior to commencing malaria treatment with Artemisinin Combination Therapy (ACTs). Niger State is one of the leading states in Nigeria in malaria control interventions. It commenced RDTs implementation with the Global Fund Round 8 Grant in 2012. Objective: To explore accessibility barriers to the use of Malaria RDTs and formulate recommendations for improving the uptake of RDTs in Niger State Methodology: Analysis of HMIS data, review of grey and published literature. Findings: Only 27 percent of public health facilities (HFs) implement RDTs with the aid of donor funds. Seventy-seven percent (n=540,926) of the fever cases that appear in these HFs during January – October 2013 were tested with RDTs, 53 percent were confirmed cases of malaria, 60 percent of which were treated, while 9 percent of cases were treated presumptively. In 2013, 871,702 of ACTs were supplied as against 332,466 of RDTs. Private Sector presumptive treatment of malaria outnumbers public HFs treatment on the bases of confirmation. Stock-out of RDTs is the major constraint, and severe fever tends to trigger presumptive treatment. Conclusions: Implementation of RDTs leads to a reduction in the use of ACTs; however, more of ACTs reduction could be achieved if the State Government directed more resources towards the acquisition of RDTs. Accessibility of RDTs is linked to the level of awareness of the potential users about the service and availability.
Organization:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute
,
VU - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Institute:
KIT (Royal Tropical Institue)
Department:
Development Policy & Practice
Country:
Nigeria
,
West Africa
Training:
Master of Public Health / International Course in Health Development (ICHD)
Category:
Research
Right:
© 2014 Olatunji
Document type:
Thesis/dissertation
File:
ICdmyXUYt6_20161025152352372.pdf