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Eboumbou Moukoko CE, Etang J, Kojom Foko LP, Tafock CD, Epee Eboumbou P, Essangui Same EG, Penda IC, Same Ekobo A. Rationalizing artemisinin-based combination therapies use for treatment of uncomplicated malaria: A situation analysis in health facilities and private pharmacies of Douala 5e-Cameroon. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0299517. [PMID: 38713730 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) represent one of the mainstays of malaria control. Despite evidence of the risk of ACTs resistant infections in resource-limited countries, studies on the rational use of ACTs to inform interventions and prevent their emergence and/or spread are limited. The aim of this study was designed to analyze practices toward ACTs use for treating the treatment of uncomplicated malaria (UM) in an urban community. Between November 2015 and April 2016, a cross-sectional and prospective study was conducted in the 6 health facilities and all pharmacies in the Douala 5e subdivision, Cameroon. Anonymous interviews including both open- and closed-ended questions were conducted with selected participants among drug prescribers, patients attending the health facilities, and customers visiting the pharmacies. Data analysis was performed using StataSE11 software (version 11 SE). A total of 41 prescribers were included in the study. All were aware of national treatment guidelines, but 37.7% reported not waiting for test results before prescribing an antimalarial drug, and the main reason being stock-outs at health facilities. Likewise, artemether+lumefantrine/AL (81%) and dihydroartemisinin+piperaquine (63.5%) were the most commonly used first- and second-line drugs respectively. Biological tests were requested in 99.2% (128/129) of patients in health facilities, 60.0% (74) were performed and 6.2% were rationally managed. Overall 266 (35%) of 760 customers purchased antimalarial drugs, of these, 261 (98.1%) agreed to participate and of these, 69.4% purchased antimalarial drugs without a prescription. ACTs accounted for 90.0% of antimalarials purchased from pharmacies, of which AL was the most commonly prescribed antimalarial drug (67.1%), and only 19.5% of patients were appropriately dispensed. The current data suggest a gap between the knowledge and practices of prescribers as well as patients and customers misconceptions regarding the use of ACTs in Douala 5e subdivision. Despite government efforts to increase public awareness regarding the use of ACTs as first-line treatment for UM, our findings point out a critical need for the development, implementation and scaling-up of control strategies and continuing health education for better use of ACTs (prescription and dispensing) in Cameroon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carole Else Eboumbou Moukoko
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon
- Malaria Research Unit, Centre Pasteur Cameroon, Yaoundé, Cameroon
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Mycology and Virology, Postgraduate Training Unit for Health Sciences, Postgraduate School for Pure and Applied Sciences, The University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon
| | - Josiane Etang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon
- Yaoundé Research Institut, Organisation de Coordination pour la Lutte Contre les Endémies en Afrique Centrale (OCEAC), Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Loick Pradel Kojom Foko
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science, The University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon
| | - Christian Donald Tafock
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon
| | - Patricia Epee Eboumbou
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Mycology and Virology, Postgraduate Training Unit for Health Sciences, Postgraduate School for Pure and Applied Sciences, The University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon
- Clinical Sciences Department, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon
- Pediatric wards, Bonassama Hospital, Douala, Cameroon
| | - Estelle Géraldine Essangui Same
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Mycology and Virology, Postgraduate Training Unit for Health Sciences, Postgraduate School for Pure and Applied Sciences, The University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon
| | - Ida Calixte Penda
- Clinical Sciences Department, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon
| | - Albert Same Ekobo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon
- National Roll Back Malaria Committee, Yaoundé, Cameroon
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Rautman LH, Maiga-Ascofaré O, Eibach D, Hogan B, Dekker D, Jaeger A, Akenten CW, Owusu-Dabo E, Boateng FO, Hanson H, Boahen KG, Sarpong N, Adu-Sarkodie Y, Kreuels B, May J, Krumkamp R. Fever in focus: Symptoms, diagnoses and treatment of febrile children in Ghana-A longitudinal hospital study. Trop Med Int Health 2024; 29:206-213. [PMID: 38093593 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.13962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Healthcare resources are often limited in areas of sub-Saharan Africa. This makes accurate and timely diagnoses challenging and delays treatment of childhood febrile illness. We explored longitudinal characteristics related to symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of hospitalised febrile children in a rural area of Ghana highly endemic for malaria. METHODS Febrile children under 15 years, admitted to the study hospital paediatric ward, were recruited to the study and clinical data were collected throughout hospitalisation. Descriptive statistics were reported for all cases; for longitudinal analyses, a subset of visits with limited missing data was used. RESULTS There were 801 hospitalised children included in longitudinal analyses. Malaria (n = 581, 73%) and sepsis (n = 373, 47%) were the most prevalent suspected diagnoses on admission. One-third of malaria suspected diagnoses (n = 192, 33%) were changed on the discharge diagnosis, compared to 84% (n = 315) of sepsis suspected diagnoses. Among malaria-only discharge diagnoses, 98% (n/N = 202/207) received an antimalarial and 33% (n/N = 69/207) an antibiotic; among discharge diagnoses without malaria, 28% (n/N = 108/389) received an antimalarial and 83% (n/N = 324/389) an antibiotic. CONCLUSIONS Suspected diagnoses were largely based on clinical presentation and were frequently changed; changed diagnoses were associated with lingering symptoms, underscoring the need for faster and more accurate diagnostics. Medications were over-prescribed regardless of diagnosis stability, possibly because of a lack of confidence in suspected diagnoses. Thus, better diagnostic tools are needed for childhood febrile illnesses to enhance the accuracy of and confidence in diagnoses, and to cut down unjustified medication use, reducing the risk of antimicrobial and malaria resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Helen Rautman
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, Hamburg-Borstel-Lübeck-Riems, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Oumou Maiga-Ascofaré
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, Hamburg-Borstel-Lübeck-Riems, Hamburg, Germany
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Daniel Eibach
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Benedikt Hogan
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Denise Dekker
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anna Jaeger
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, Hamburg-Borstel-Lübeck-Riems, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Ellis Owusu-Dabo
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Felix Osei Boateng
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Henry Hanson
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Kennedy Gyau Boahen
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Nimako Sarpong
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Yaw Adu-Sarkodie
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Benno Kreuels
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jürgen May
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, Hamburg-Borstel-Lübeck-Riems, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ralf Krumkamp
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, Hamburg-Borstel-Lübeck-Riems, Hamburg, Germany
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3
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Rickey L, Auger K, Britto MT, Rodgers I, Field S, Odom A, Lehr M, Cronin A, Walsh KE. Measurement of Ambulatory Medication Errors in Children: A Scoping Review. Pediatrics 2023; 152:e2023061281. [PMID: 37986581 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2023-061281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Children use most medications in the ambulatory setting where errors are infrequently intercepted. There is currently no established measure set for ambulatory pediatric medication errors. We have sought to identify the range of existing measures of ambulatory pediatric medication errors, describe the data sources for error measurement, and describe their reliability. METHODS We performed a scoping review of the literature published since 1986 using PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane and of grey literature. Studies were included if they measured ambulatory, including home, medication errors in children 0 to 26 years. Measures were grouped by phase of the medication use pathway and thematically by measure type. RESULTS We included 138 published studies and 4 studies from the grey literature and identified 21 measures of medication errors along the medication use pathway. Most measures addressed errors in medication prescribing (n = 6), and administration at home (n = 4), often using prescription-level data and observation, respectively. Measures assessing errors at multiple phases of the medication use pathway (n = 3) frequently used error reporting databases and prospective measurement through direct in-home observation. We identified few measures of dispensing and monitoring errors. Only 31 studies used measurement methods that included an assessment of reliability. CONCLUSIONS Although most available, reliable measures are too resource and time-intensive to assess errors at the health system or population level, we were able to identify some measures that may be adopted for continuous measurement and quality improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Rickey
- Division of General Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Katherine Auger
- Division of Hospital Medicine
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
- James M. Anderson Center for Health Systems Excellence, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Maria T Britto
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
- James M. Anderson Center for Health Systems Excellence, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Isabelle Rodgers
- Section of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Shayna Field
- Division of General Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Alayna Odom
- Division of Hospital Medicine
- James M. Anderson Center for Health Systems Excellence, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Madison Lehr
- Division of General Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Kathleen E Walsh
- Division of General Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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Aryeetey GC, Nonvignon J, Malm K, Owusu R, Baabu BS, Peprah NY, Agyemang SA, Novignon J, Amon S, Dwomoh D, Aikins M. Cost of inappropriate prescriptions for uncomplicated malaria in Ghana. Malar J 2023; 22:157. [PMID: 37202807 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04581-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria remains a common course of morbidity in many sub-Saharan African countries. While treatment options have improved in recent times, inappropriate prescription seems conventional among providers, increasing the burden on patients and society. This study examined the cost of inappropriate prescriptions for uncomplicated malaria treatment in Ghana. METHODS This study used retrospective data collected from January to December 2016 in 27 selected facilities, under different ownership in three regions of the country, mainly Volta, Upper East and Brong Ahafo. Stratified random sampling technique was used to extract 1625 outpatient folders of patients diagnosed and treated for malaria. Two physicians independently reviewed patient folders according to the stated diagnoses. Malaria prescriptions were described as inappropriate when they do not adhere to the standard treatment guidelines. The economic cost was mainly treatment cost which was sourced as medication cost. Total and average costs for country were calculated using sample estimates and the total number of uncomplicated malaria cases that received inappropriate prescriptions. RESULTS The study revealed that patients received an average of two prescriptions per malaria episode. Artemether-lumefantrine (AL) was the major malaria medication (79.5%) prescribed to patients. Other medications usually antibiotics and vitamins and minerals were included in the prescription. More than 50% of prescribers did not follow the guidelines for prescribing medications to clients. By facility type, inappropriate prescription was high in the CHPS compounds (59.1%) and by ownership, government (58.3%), private (57.5%) and mission facilities (50.7%). Thus, about 55% of malaria prescriptions were evaluated as inappropriate during the review period, which translates into economic cost of approximately US$4.52 million for the entire country in 2016. The total cost of inappropriate prescription within the study sample was estimated at US$1,088.42 while the average cost was US$1.20. CONCLUSION Inappropriate prescription for malaria is a major threat to malaria management in Ghana. It presents a huge economic burden to the health system. Training and strict enforcement of prescribers' adherence to the standard treatment guideline is highly recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genevieve Cecilia Aryeetey
- Department of Health Policy, Planning and Management, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Justice Nonvignon
- Department of Health Policy, Planning and Management, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
| | - Keziah Malm
- National Malaria Elimination Programme, Ghana Health Service, Accra, Ghana
| | - Richmond Owusu
- Department of Health Policy, Planning and Management, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Bright Sasu Baabu
- Department of Health Policy, Planning and Management, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Nana Yaw Peprah
- National Malaria Elimination Programme, Ghana Health Service, Accra, Ghana
| | - Samuel Agyei Agyemang
- Department of Health Policy, Planning and Management, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Jacob Novignon
- Department of Economics, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Samuel Amon
- Department of Health Policy, Planning and Management, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Duah Dwomoh
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Moses Aikins
- Department of Health Policy, Planning and Management, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
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5
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Shimelis T, Mulu A, Mengesha M, Alemu A, Mihret A, Tadesse BT, Bartlett AW, Belay FW, Schierhout G, Dittrich S, Crump JA, Vaz Nery S, Kaldor JM. Detection of dengue virus infection in children presenting with fever in Hawassa, southern Ethiopia. Sci Rep 2023; 13:7997. [PMID: 37198392 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35143-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral infection, with rising incidence globally. Eastern Ethiopia has had dengue fever outbreaks in recent years. However, the extent to which the infection contributes to hospital presentation among children with fever in southern Ethiopia is unknown. We examined 407 stored plasma samples collected to investigate the aetiology of fever in children aged at least 2 months and under 13 years presenting to the outpatient of the largest tertiary hospital in southern Ethiopia. We analyzed samples for dengue virus non-structural 1 antigen using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The median (interquartile range) age of the 407 children examined was 20 (10-48) months, and 166 (40.8%) of the children were females. Of 407 samples analyzed, 9 (2.2%) were positive for dengue virus non-structural 1 antigen, of whom 2 were initially treated with antimalarial drugs despite having negative malaria microscopy, and 1 of the 8 patients had a persistent fever at the seventh day of follow-up time. The presence of active dengue virus infection in the study area highlights the need for studies at the community level as well as the integration of dengue diagnostics into fever-management strategies. Further research to characterize circulating strains is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Techalew Shimelis
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia.
| | | | | | - Aynalem Alemu
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Adane Mihret
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | | | - Adam W Bartlett
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Gill Schierhout
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Sabine Dittrich
- Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics, Geneva, Switzerland
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Deggendorf Institut of Technology, European Campus Rottal-Inn, Deggendorf, Germany
| | - John A Crump
- Centre for International Health, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Susana Vaz Nery
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - John M Kaldor
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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Kolekang AS, Afrane Y, Apanga S, Zurovac D, Kwarteng A, Afari-Asiedu S, Asante KP, Danso-Appiah A. Challenges with adherence to the ‘test, treat, and track’ malaria case management guideline among prescribers in Ghana. Malar J 2022; 21:332. [PMID: 36376961 PMCID: PMC9664683 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-022-04365-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Despite several efforts at addressing the barriers to adherence to the WHO-supported test, treat and track (T3) malaria case management guideline in Ghana, adherence remains a challenge. This study explored the challenges of prescribers regarding adherence to the T3 guideline. Methods This was an explorative study using key informant interviews amongst prescribers comprising medical doctors, physician assistants, nurses and a health extension worker from 16 health facilities in six districts in Ghana. The data was analysed using Nvivo 10 and organized into thematic areas. Results Prescribers lauded the guideline on testing and treatment as it ensures the quality of malaria case management, but irregular supply of malaria rapid diagnostic test kits (RDT), mistrust of laboratory tests, and the reluctance of prescribers to change from presumptive treatment were key barriers to testing. Patients with malaria test negative results if not treated, revisiting the facility with severe malaria, the experience of prescribers, lack of regular training and supervision for old and new staff and the inability of prescribers to investigate non-malaria fever hindered adherence to results-based treatment. Conclusion As malaria remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in Ghana, this study provides insights on gaps in adherence to the testing and treatment of malaria. While the diagnostic capacity for malaria case management is a challenge, the lack of training resulting in the inability of some prescribers to investigate non-malaria fever hinders adherence to the malaria case management guideline. Therefore, there is a need to train new prescribers, laboratory personnel, and other staff involved in malaria diagnosis and treatment on the malaria case management guideline before they assume duty. Equipping laboratory personnel and prescribers with the knowledge to investigate non-malaria fevers could improve adherence to the guideline for improved patient care.
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Differences in diagnosis, management, and outcomes of acute febrile illness by health facility level in southern Ethiopia. Sci Rep 2022; 12:19166. [PMID: 36357441 PMCID: PMC9649757 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23641-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
We assessed the diagnosis, management and outcomes of acute febrile illness in a cohort of febrile children aged under 5 years presenting at one urban and two rural health centres and one tertiary hospital between 11 August 2019 and 01 November 2019. Pneumonia was diagnosed in 104 (30.8%) of 338 children at health centres and 128 (65.0%) of 197 at the hospital (p < 0.001). Malaria was detected in 33 (24.3%) of 136 children at the urban health centre, and in 55 (55.6%) of 99 and 7 (7.4%) of 95 children at the rural health centres compared to 11 (11.6%) of 95 at the hospital. Antibacterials were prescribed to 20 (11.5%) of 174 children without guidelines-specified indications (overprescribing) at health centres and in 7 (33.3%) of 21 children at the hospital (p = 0.013). Antimalarials were overprescribed to 13 (7.0%) of 185 children with negative malaria microscopy at the hospital. The fever resolved by day 7 in 326 (99.7%) of 327 children at health centres compared to 177 (93.2%) of 190 at the hospital (p < 0.001). These results suggest that additional guidance to health workers is needed to optimise the use of antimicrobials across all levels of health facilities.
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Shimelis T, Vaz Nery S, Tadesse BT, Bartlett AW, Belay FW, Schierhout G, Dittrich S, Crump JA, Kaldor JM. Clinical management and outcomes of acute febrile illness in children attending a tertiary hospital in southern Ethiopia. BMC Infect Dis 2022; 22:434. [PMID: 35509024 PMCID: PMC9069758 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-022-07424-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The management of febrile illnesses is challenging in settings where diagnostic laboratory facilities are limited, and there are few published longitudinal data on children presenting with fever in such settings. We have previously conducted the first comprehensive study of infectious aetiologies of febrile children presenting to a tertiary care facility in Ethiopia. We now report on clinicians’ prescribing adherence with guidelines and outcomes of management in this cohort. Methods We consecutively enrolled febrile children aged 2 months and under 13 years, who were then managed by clinicians based on presentation and available laboratory and radiologic findings on day of enrolment. We prospectively collected outcome data on days 7 and 14, and retrospectively evaluated prescribing adherence with national clinical management guidelines. Results Of 433 children enrolled, the most common presenting syndromes were pneumonia and acute diarrhoea, diagnosed in 177 (40.9%) and 82 (18.9%), respectively. Antibacterial agents were prescribed to 360 (84.7%) of 425 children, including 36 (34.0%) of 106 children without an initial indication for antibacterials according to guidelines. Antimalarial drugs were prescribed to 47 (11.1%) of 425 children, including 30 (7.3%) of 411 children with negative malaria microscopy. Fever had resolved in 357 (89.7%) of 398 children assessed at day 7, and in-hospital death within 7 days occurred in 9 (5.9%) of 153 admitted patients. Among children with pneumonia, independent predictors of persisting fever or death by 7 days were young age and underweight for age. Antibacterial prescribing in the absence of a guideline-specified indication (overprescribing) was more likely among infants and those without tachypnea, while overprescribing antimalarials was associated with older age, anaemia, absence of cough, and higher fevers. Conclusion Our study underscores the need for improving diagnostic support to properly guide management decisions and enhance adherence by clinicians to treatment guidelines. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12879-022-07424-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Techalew Shimelis
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. .,College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia.
| | - Susana Vaz Nery
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Adam W Bartlett
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Gill Schierhout
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Sabine Dittrich
- Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics, Geneva, Switzerland.,Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - John A Crump
- Centre for International Health, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - John M Kaldor
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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9
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Azizi H, Majdzadeh R, Ahmadi A, Esmaeili ED, Naghili B, Mansournia MA. Health workers readiness and practice in malaria case detection and appropriate treatment: a meta-analysis and meta-regression. Malar J 2021; 20:420. [PMID: 34689791 PMCID: PMC8543935 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-03954-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Health workers (HWs) appropriate malaria case management includes early detection and prompt treatment with appropriate anti-malarial drugs. Subsequently, HWs readiness and practice are considered authentic evidence to measure the health system performance regarding malaria control programme milestones and to issue malaria elimination certification. There is no comprehensive evidence based on meta-analysis, to measure the performance of HWs in case management of malaria. This study aimed to evaluate HWs performance in early malaria case detection (testing) and the appropriate treatment. Methods The published literature in English was systematically searched from Medline, Scopus, Embase, and Malaria Journal up to 30th December 2020. The inclusion criteria were any studies that assessed HWs practice in early case detection by malaria testing and appropriate treatment. Eligibility assessment of records was performed independently in a blinded, standardized way by two reviewers. Pooled prevalence estimates were stratified by HWs cadre type. Meta-regression analysis was performed to explore the impact of the appropriateness of the method and risk of bias as potential sources of the heterogeneity in the presence of effective factors. Results The study pooled data of 9245 HWs obtained from 15 included studies. No study has been found in eliminating settings. The pooled estimate for appropriate malaria treatment and malaria testing were 60%; 95% CI: 53–67% and 57%; 95% CI: 49–65%, respectively. In the final multivariable meta-regression, HWs cadre and numbers, appropriateness of study methods, malaria morbidity and mortality, total admissions of malaria suspected cases, gross domestic product, availability of anti-malarial drugs, and year of the publication were explained 85 and 83% of the total variance between studies and potential sources of the heterogeneity for malaria testing and treating, respectively. Conclusion HWs adherence to appropriate malaria case management guidelines were generally low while no study has been found in eliminating countries. Studies with the inappropriateness methods and risk of bias could be overestimating the actual proportion of malaria appropriate testing and treating. Strategies that focus on improving readiness and early identification of acute febrile diseases especially in the countries that progress to malaria elimination should be highly promoted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hosein Azizi
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Majdzadeh
- School of Public Health, Knowledge Utilization Research Center, and Community Based Participatory Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ayat Ahmadi
- Knowledge Utilization Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elham Davtalab Esmaeili
- Research Center of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Road Traffic Injury Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Behrouz Naghili
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ali Mansournia
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Fomba S, Koné D, Doumbia B, Diallo D, Druetz T, Florey L, Eisele TP, Eckert E, Mihigo J, Ashton RA. Management of uncomplicated malaria among children under five years at public and private sector facilities in Mali. BMC Public Health 2020; 20:1888. [PMID: 33298011 PMCID: PMC7724888 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-09873-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Prompt and effective malaria diagnosis and treatment is a cornerstone of malaria control. Case management guidelines recommend confirmatory testing of suspected malaria cases, then prescription of specific drugs for uncomplicated malaria and for severe malaria. This study aims to describe case management practices for children aged 1–59 months seeking treatment with current or recent fever from public and private, rural and urban health providers in Mali. Methods Data were collected at sites in Sikasso Region and Bamako. Health workers recorded key information from the consultation including malaria diagnostic testing and result, their final diagnosis, and all drugs prescribed. Children with signs of severe diseases were ineligible. Consultations were not independently observed. Appropriate case management was defined as both 1) tested for malaria using rapid diagnostic test or microscopy, and 2) receiving artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) and no other antimalarials if test-positive, or receiving no antimalarials if test-negative. Results Of 1602 participating children, 23.7% were appropriately managed, ranging from 5.3% at public rural facilities to 48.4% at community health worker sites. The most common reason for ‘inappropriate’ management was lack of malaria diagnostic testing (50.4% of children). Among children with confirmed malaria, 50.8% received a non-ACT antimalarial (commonly artesunate injection or artemether), either alone or in combination with ACT. Of 215 test-negative children, 44.2% received an antimalarial drug, most commonly ACT. Prescription of multiple drugs was common: 21.7% of all children received more than one type of antimalarial, while 51.9% received an antibiotic and antimalarial. Inappropriate case management increased in children with increasing axillary temperatures and those seeking care over weekends. Conclusions Multiple limitations in management of febrile children under five were identified, including inconsistent use of confirmatory testing and apparent use of severe malaria drugs for uncomplicated malaria. While we cannot confirm the reasons for these shortcomings, there is a need to address the high use of non-ACT antimalarials in this context; to minimize potential for drug resistance, reduce unnecessary expense, and preserve life-saving treatment for severe malaria cases. These findings highlight the challenge of managing febrile illness in young children in a high transmission setting. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-020-09873-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seydou Fomba
- Programme National de Lutte contre le Paludisme, Bamako, Mali
| | - Diakalia Koné
- Programme National de Lutte contre le Paludisme, Bamako, Mali
| | | | | | - Thomas Druetz
- Center for Applied Malaria Research and Evaluation, Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA.,Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Lia Florey
- President's Malaria Initiative, United States Agency for International Development, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Thomas P Eisele
- Center for Applied Malaria Research and Evaluation, Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Erin Eckert
- President's Malaria Initiative, United States Agency for International Development, Washington, DC, USA.,RTI International, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Jules Mihigo
- President's Malaria Initiative, United States Agency for International Development, Bamako, Mali
| | - Ruth A Ashton
- MEASURE Evaluation, Center for Applied Malaria Research and Evaluation, Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA.
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Cohen JL, Leslie HH, Saran I, Fink G. Quality of clinical management of children diagnosed with malaria: A cross-sectional assessment in 9 sub-Saharan African countries between 2007-2018. PLoS Med 2020; 17:e1003254. [PMID: 32925906 PMCID: PMC7489507 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Appropriate clinical management of malaria in children is critical for preventing progression to severe disease and for reducing the continued high burden of malaria mortality. This study aimed to assess the quality of care provided to children under 5 diagnosed with malaria across 9 sub-Saharan African countries. METHODS AND FINDINGS We used data from the Service Provision Assessment (SPA) survey. SPAs are nationally representative facility surveys capturing quality of sick-child care, facility readiness, and provider and patient characteristics. The data set contained 24,756 direct clinical observations of outpatient sick-child visits across 9 countries, including Uganda (2007), Rwanda (2007), Namibia (2009), Kenya (2010), Malawi (2013), Senegal (2013-2017), Ethiopia (2014), Tanzania (2015), and Democratic Republic of the Congo (2018). We assessed the proportion of children with a malaria diagnosis who received a blood test diagnosis and an appropriate antimalarial. We used multilevel logistic regression to assess facility and provider and patient characteristics associated with these outcomes. Subgroup analyses with the 2013-2018 country surveys only were conducted for all outcomes. Children observed were on average 20.5 months old and were most commonly diagnosed with respiratory infection (47.7%), malaria (29.7%), and/or gastrointestinal infection (19.7%). Among the 7,340 children with a malaria diagnosis, 32.5% (95% CI: 30.3%-34.7%) received both a blood-test-based diagnosis and an appropriate antimalarial. The proportion of children with a blood test diagnosis and an appropriate antimalarial ranged from 3.4% to 57.1% across countries. In the more recent surveys (2013-2018), 40.7% (95% CI: 37.7%-43.6%) of children with a malaria diagnosis received both a blood test diagnosis and appropriate antimalarial. Roughly 20% of children diagnosed with malaria received no antimalarial at all, and nearly 10% received oral artemisinin monotherapy, which is not recommended because of concerns regarding parasite resistance. Receipt of a blood test diagnosis and appropriate antimalarial was positively correlated with being seen at a facility with diagnostic equipment in stock (adjusted OR 3.67; 95% CI: 2.72-4.95) and, in the 2013-2018 subsample, with being seen at a facility with Artemisinin Combination Therapies (ACTs) in stock (adjusted OR 1.60; 95% CI:1.04-2.46). However, even if all children diagnosed with malaria were seen by a trained provider at a facility with diagnostics and medicines in stock, only a predicted 37.2% (95% CI: 34.2%-40.1%) would have received a blood test and appropriate antimalarial (44.4% for the 2013-2018 subsample). Study limitations include the lack of confirmed malaria test results for most survey years, the inability to distinguish between a diagnosis of uncomplicated or severe malaria, the absence of other relevant indicators of quality of care including dosing and examinations, and that only 9 countries were studied. CONCLUSIONS In this study, we found that a majority of children diagnosed with malaria across the 9 surveyed sub-Saharan African countries did not receive recommended care. Clinical management is positively correlated with the stocking of essential commodities and is somewhat improved in more recent years, but important quality gaps remain in the countries studied. Continued reductions in malaria mortality will require a bigger push toward quality improvements in clinical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L. Cohen
- Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Hannah H. Leslie
- Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Indrani Saran
- Boston College School of Social Work, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Günther Fink
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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