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Goodman C, Tougher S, Shang TJ, Visser T. Improving malaria case management with artemisinin-based combination therapies and malaria rapid diagnostic tests in private medicine retail outlets in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0286718. [PMID: 39074113 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286718] [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: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Private medicine retailers (PMRs) such as pharmacies and drug stores account for a substantial share of treatment-seeking for fever and malaria, but there are widespread concerns about quality of care, including inadequate access to malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs). This review synthesizes evidence on the effectiveness of interventions to improve malaria case management in PMRs in sub-Saharan Africa (PROSPERO #2021:CRD42021253564). We included quantitative studies evaluating interventions supporting RDT and/or ACT sales by PMR staff, with a historical or contemporaneous control group, and outcomes related to care received. We searched Medline Ovid, Embase Ovid, Global Health Ovid, Econlit Ovid and the Cochrane Library; unpublished studies were identified by contacting key informants. We conducted a narrative synthesis by intervention category. We included 41 papers, relating to 34 studies. There was strong evidence that small and large-scale ACT subsidy programmes (without RDTs) increased the market share of quality-assured ACT in PMRs, including among rural and poorer groups, with increases of over 30 percentage points in most settings. Interventions to introduce or enhance RDT use in PMRs led to RDT uptake among febrile clients of over two-thirds and dispensing according to RDT result of over three quarters, though some studies had much poorer results. Introducing Integrated Community Case Management (iCCM) was also effective in improving malaria case management. However, there were no eligible studies on RDT or iCCM implementation at large scale. There was limited evidence that PMR accreditation (without RDTs) increased ACT uptake. Key evidence gaps include evaluations of RDTs and iCCM at large scale, evaluations of interventions including use of digital technologies, and robust studies of accreditation and other broader PMR interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Goodman
- Department for Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah Tougher
- Department for Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Terrissa Jing Shang
- Department for Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Theodoor Visser
- Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc. (CHAI), Global Malaria, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
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Visser T, Laktabai J, Kimachas E, Kipkoech J, Menya D, Arthur D, Zhou Y, Chepkwony T, Abel L, Robie E, Amunga M, Ambani G, Uhomoibhi P, Ogbulafor N, Oshinowo A, Ogunsola O, Woldeghebriel M, Garber E, Olaleye T, Eze N, Nwidae L, Mudabai P, Gallis JA, Fashanu C, Saran I, Woolsey A, Wiwa O, Turner EL, Prudhomme O’Meara W. A cluster-randomized trial of client and provider directed financial interventions to align incentives with appropriate case management in private medicine retailers: Results of the TESTsmART trial in Lagos, Nigeria. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 4:e0002938. [PMID: 38954701 PMCID: PMC11218985 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
Malaria remains a major health priority in Nigeria. Among children with fever who seek care, less than a quarter gets tested for malaria, leading to inappropriate use of the recommended treatment for malaria; Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT). Here we test an innovative strategy to target ACT subsidies to clients seeking care in Nigeria's private retail health sector who have a confirmed malaria diagnosis. We supported point-of-care malaria testing (mRDTs) in 48 Private Medicine Retailers (PMRs) in the city of Lagos, Nigeria and randomized them to two study arms; a control arm offering subsidized mRDT testing for USD $0.66, and an intervention arm where, in addition to access to subsidized testing as in the control arm, clients who received a positive mRDT at the PMR were eligible for a free (fully subsidized) first-line ACT and PMRs received USD $0.2 for every mRDT performed. Our primary outcome was the proportion of ACTs dispensed to individuals with a positive diagnostic test. Secondary outcomes included proportion of clients who were tested at the PMR and adherence to diagnostic test results. Overall, 23% of clients chose to test at the PMR. Test results seemed to inform treatment decisions and resulted in enhanced targeting of ACTs to confirmed malaria cases with only 26% of test-negative clients purchasing an ACT compared to 58% of untested clients. However, the intervention did not offer further improvements, compared to the control arm, in testing rates or dispensing of ACTs to test-positive clients. We found that ACT subsidies were not passed on to clients testing positive in the intervention arm. We conclude that mRDTs could reduce ACT overconsumption in Nigeria's private retail health sector, but PMR-oriented incentive structures are difficult to implement and may need to be complemented with interventions targeting clients of PMRs to increase test uptake and adherence. Trials registration: Clinical Trials Registration Number: NCT04428307. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7816435/ Correction: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9476591/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodoor Visser
- Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jeremiah Laktabai
- Moi University School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Emmah Kimachas
- Academic Model Providing Access to Health Care, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Joseph Kipkoech
- Academic Model Providing Access to Health Care, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Diana Menya
- Moi University School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - David Arthur
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics and Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Yunji Zhou
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | | | - Lucy Abel
- Moi University School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Emily Robie
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Mark Amunga
- Academic Model Providing Access to Health Care, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - George Ambani
- Academic Model Providing Access to Health Care, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Perpetua Uhomoibhi
- National Malaria Elimination Program, Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Nnenna Ogbulafor
- National Malaria Elimination Program, Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Abimbola Oshinowo
- Lagos State Malaria Elimination Program, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Oluwatosin Ogunsola
- Simon Business School, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | | | | | - Tayo Olaleye
- Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Nwamaka Eze
- Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Lekia Nwidae
- Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Abuja, Nigeria
| | | | - John A. Gallis
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics and Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | | | - Indrani Saran
- School of Social Work, Boston College, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Aaron Woolsey
- Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Owens Wiwa
- Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Elizabeth L. Turner
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics and Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Wendy Prudhomme O’Meara
- Duke Global Health Institute and Moi University School of Public Health, College of Health Science, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
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Visser T, Laktabai J, Kimachas E, Kipkoech J, Menya D, Arthur D, Zhou Y, Chepkwony T, Abel L, Robie E, Amunga M, Ambani G, Uhomoibhi P, Ogbulafor N, Oshinowo B, Ogunsola O, Woldeghebriel M, Garber E, Olaleye T, Eze N, Nwidae L, Mudabai P, Gallis J, Fashanu C, Saran I, Woolsey A, Turner E, Prudhomme O’Meara W. A cluster-randomized trial of client and provider directed financial interventions to align incentives with appropriate case management in private medicine retailers: results of the TESTsmART Trial in Lagos, Nigeria. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.01.30.24302026. [PMID: 38352390 PMCID: PMC10862997 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.30.24302026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Malaria remains a major health priority in Nigeria. Among children with fever who seek care, less than a quarter gets tested for malaria, leading to inappropriate use of the recommended treatment for malaria; Artemether Combination Therapies (ACT). Here we test an innovative strategy to target ACT subsidies to clients seeking care in Nigeria's private retail health sector who have a confirmed malaria diagnosis. We supported point-of-care malaria testing (mRDTs) in 48 Private Medicine Retailers (PMRs) in the city of Lagos, Nigeria and randomized them to two study arms; a control arm offering subsidized mRDT testing for USD $0.66, and an intervention arm where, in addition to access to subsidized testing as in the control arm, clients who received a positive mRDT at the PMR were eligible for a free (fully subsidized) first-line ACT and PMRs received USD $0.2 for every mRDT performed. Our primary outcome was the proportion of ACTs dispensed to individuals with a positive diagnostic test. Secondary outcomes included proportion of clients who were tested at the PMR and adherence to diagnostic test results. Overall, 23% of clients chose to test at the PMR. Test results seemed to inform treatment decisions and resulted in enhanced targeting of ACTs to confirmed malaria cases with only 26% of test-negative clients purchasing an ACT compared to 58% of untested clients. However, the intervention did not offer further improvements, compared to the control arm, in testing rates or dispensing of ACTs to test-positive clients. We found that ACT subsidies were not passed on to clients testing positive in the intervention arm. We conclude that RDTs could reduce ACT overconsumption in Nigeria's private retail health sector, but PMR-oriented incentive structures are difficult to implement and may need to be complemented with interventions targeting clients of PMRs to increase test uptake and adherence. Clinical Trials Registration Number: NCT04428307.
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Affiliation(s)
- T. Visser
- Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - J. Laktabai
- Moi University School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - E. Kimachas
- Academic Model Providing Access to Health Care, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - J. Kipkoech
- Academic Model Providing Access to Health Care, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - D. Menya
- Moi University School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Moi University, Kenya
| | - D. Arthur
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics and Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Y. Zhou
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - T. Chepkwony
- Academic Model Providing Access to Health Care, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - L. Abel
- Moi University School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Moi University, Kenya
| | - E. Robie
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - M. Amunga
- Academic Model Providing Access to Health Care, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - G. Ambani
- Academic Model Providing Access to Health Care, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - P. Uhomoibhi
- National Malaria Elimination Program, Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - N. Ogbulafor
- National Malaria Elimination Program, Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - B. Oshinowo
- Lagos State Malaria Elimination Program, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - O. Ogunsola
- Simon Business School, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | | | - E. Garber
- Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Abuja, Nigeria
| | - T. Olaleye
- Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Abuja, Nigeria
| | - N. Eze
- Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Abuja, Nigeria
| | - L. Nwidae
- Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Abuja, Nigeria
| | - P. Mudabai
- Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Abuja, Nigeria
| | - J.A. Gallis
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics and Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - C. Fashanu
- Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Abuja, Nigeria
| | - I. Saran
- School of Social Work, Boston College, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - A. Woolsey
- Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - E.L. Turner
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics and Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - W. Prudhomme O’Meara
- Duke Global Health Institute and Moi University School of Public Health, College of Health Science
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Chan JTN, Nguyen V, Tran TN, Nguyen NV, Do NTT, van Doorn HR, Lewycka S. Point-of-care testing in private pharmacy and drug retail settings: a narrative review. BMC Infect Dis 2023; 23:551. [PMID: 37612636 PMCID: PMC10463283 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08480-w] [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] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Point-of-care testing (POCT) using rapid diagnostic tests for infectious disease can potentially guide appropriate use of antimicrobials, reduce antimicrobial resistance, and economise use of healthcare resources. POCT implementation in private retail settings such as pharmacies and drug shops could lessen the burden on public healthcare. We performed a narrative review on studies of POCTs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and explored uptake, impact on treatment, and feasibility of implementation. METHODS We searched MEDLINE/PubMed for interventional studies on the implementation of POCT for infectious diseases performed by personnel in private retail settings. Data were extracted and analysed by two independent reviewers. RESULTS Of the 848 studies retrieved, 23 were included in the review. Studies were on malaria (19/23), malaria and pneumonia (3/23) or respiratory tract infection (1/23). Nine randomised controlled studies, four controlled, non-randomised studies, five uncontrolled interventions, one interventional pre-post study, one cross-over interventional study and three retrospective analyses of RCTs were included. Study quality was poor. Overall, studies showed that POCT can be implemented successfully, leading to improvements in appropriate treatment as measured by outcomes like adherence to treatment guidelines. Despite some concerns by health workers, customers and shop providers were welcoming of POCT implementation in private retail settings. Main themes that arose from the review included the need for well-structured training with post-training certification covering guidelines for test-negative patients, integrated waste management, community sensitization and demand generation activities, financial remuneration and pricing schemes for providers, and formal linkage to healthcare and support. CONCLUSION Our review found evidence that POCT can be implemented successfully in private retail settings in LMICs, but comprehensive protocols are needed. High-quality randomised studies are needed to understand POCTs for infectious diseases other than malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Van Nguyen
- Doctor of Medicine Programme, Duke National University of Singapore (NUS) Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Thuy Ngan Tran
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Family Medicine and Population Health (FAMPOP), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | | | - H Rogier van Doorn
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Sonia Lewycka
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Shelus V, Mumbere N, Mulogo EM, Barrington C, Baguma E, Muhindo R, Herrington JE, Emch M, Maman S, Boyce RM. Private sector antimalarial sales a decade after “test and treat”: A cross-sectional study of drug shop clients in rural Uganda. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1140405. [PMID: 37056663 PMCID: PMC10089286 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1140405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BackgroundThe World Health Organization has promoted “test and treat” guidelines for malaria since 2010, recommending all suspected malaria cases be confirmed with a parasitological test, typically a rapid diagnostic test (RDT), prior to treatment with antimalarial medications. However, many fevers at private drug shops in Uganda continue to be treated presumptively as malaria without diagnostic testing.MethodsThe purpose of this study was to document private sector malaria case management in rural Uganda through a cross-sectional survey of drug shop clients in Bugoye sub-county. Drug shop vendors (n = 46) recorded information about sales interactions with clients reporting fever or requesting antimalarials and collected capillary blood samples from clients who purchased medications without an RDT. We estimated the proportion of clients who purchased an RDT, adhered to the RDT result, and received antimalarials without having laboratory-confirmed malaria.ResultsMost drug shops were unlicensed (96%) and sold RDTs (98%). Of 934 clients with suspected malaria who visited study drug shops during the data collection period, only 25% bought an RDT. Since some clients reported previous RDTs from the public sector, 40% of clients were aware of their malaria status at the drug shop. Among those with negative tests, 36% still purchased antimalarials. Sixty-five percent of clients who purchased an antimalarial without an RDT subsequently tested negative.ConclusionsDespite national guidelines, drug shop clients who purchase antimalarials from drug shops in Bugoye are often not tested to confirm a malaria diagnosis prior to treatment. Most clients treated presumptively with antimalarials did not have malaria. Interventions are needed to improve malaria case management and rational drug use in the private sector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Shelus
- Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Nobert Mumbere
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Edgar M. Mulogo
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Clare Barrington
- Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Emmanuel Baguma
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Rabbison Muhindo
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - James E. Herrington
- Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Michael Emch
- Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Geography, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Suzanne Maman
- Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Ross M. Boyce
- Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- *Correspondence: Ross M. Boyce
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Hutchinson E, Hansen KS, Sanyu J, Amonya LP, Mundua S, Balabanova D, Clarke SE, Kitutu FE. Is it possible for drug shops to abide by the formal rules? The structural determinants of community medicine sales in Uganda. BMJ Glob Health 2023; 8:bmjgh-2022-011097. [PMID: 36822666 PMCID: PMC9950907 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2022-011097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The medicines retail sector is an essential element of many health systems in Africa and Asia, but it is also well known for poor practice. In the literature, it is recognised that improvements in the sector can only be made if more effective forms of governance and regulation can be identified. Recent debate suggests that interventions responsive to structural constraints that shape and underpin poor practice is a useful way forward. This paper presents data from a mixed-methods study conducted to explore regulation and the professional, economic and social constraints that shape rule breaking among drug shops in one district in Uganda. Our findings show that regulatory systems are undermined by frequent informal payments, and that although drug shops are often run by qualified staff, many are unlicensed and sell medicines beyond their legal permits. Most shops have either a small profit or a loss and rely on family and friends for additional resources as they compete in a highly saturated market. We argue that in the current context, drug shop vendors are survivalist entrepreneurs operating in a market in which it is extremely difficult to abide by policy, remain profitable and provide a service to the community. Structural changes in the medicines market, including removing unqualified sellers and making adjustments to policy are likely prerequisite if drug shops are to become places where individuals can earn a living, abide by the rules and facilitate access to medicines for people living in some of the world's poorest countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor Hutchinson
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Jacquellyn Sanyu
- Department of Health Policy, Planning and Management, Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Lydia Peace Amonya
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Central Region, Uganda
| | - Sunday Mundua
- Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Dina Balabanova
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Sian E Clarke
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London, UK
| | - Freddy Eric Kitutu
- Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Pharmacy, Makerere University School of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
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Albarqouni L, Palagama S, Chai J, Sivananthajothy P, Pathirana T, Bakhit M, Arab-Zozani M, Ranakusuma R, Cardona M, Scott A, Clark J, Smith CF, Effa E, Ochodo E, Moynihan R. Overuse of medications in low- and middle-income countries: a scoping review. Bull World Health Organ 2023; 101:36-61D. [PMID: 36593777 PMCID: PMC9795388 DOI: 10.2471/blt.22.288293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To identify and summarize the evidence about the extent of overuse of medications in low- and middle-income countries, its drivers, consequences and potential solutions. Methods We conducted a scoping review by searching the databases PubMed®, Embase®, APA PsycINFO® and Global Index Medicus using a combination of MeSH terms and free text words around overuse of medications and overtreatment. We included studies in any language published before 25 October 2021 that reported on the extent of overuse, its drivers, consequences and solutions. Findings We screened 3489 unique records and included 367 studies reporting on over 5.1 million prescriptions across 80 low- and middle-income countries - with studies from 58.6% (17/29) of all low-, 62.0% (31/50) of all lower-middle- and 60.0% (33/55) of all upper-middle-income countries. Of the included studies, 307 (83.7%) reported on the extent of overuse of medications, with estimates ranging from 7.3% to 98.2% (interquartile range: 30.2-64.5). Commonly overused classes included antimicrobials, psychotropic drugs, proton pump inhibitors and antihypertensive drugs. Drivers included limited knowledge of harms of overuse, polypharmacy, poor regulation and financial influences. Consequences were patient harm and cost. Only 11.4% (42/367) of studies evaluated solutions, which included regulatory reforms, educational, deprescribing and audit-feedback initiatives. Conclusion Growing evidence suggests overuse of medications is widespread within low- and middle-income countries, across multiple drug classes, with few data of solutions from randomized trials. Opportunities exist to build collaborations to rigorously develop and evaluate potential solutions to reduce overuse of medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loai Albarqouni
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, 14 University Dr, Robina, QLD, 4229, Australia
| | - Sujeewa Palagama
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, 14 University Dr, Robina, QLD, 4229, Australia
| | - Julia Chai
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | | | - Thanya Pathirana
- School of Medicine and Dentistry, Griffith University, Sunshine Coast, Australia
| | - Mina Bakhit
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, 14 University Dr, Robina, QLD, 4229, Australia
| | - Morteza Arab-Zozani
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Respati Ranakusuma
- Clinical Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Medicine Unit, Dr Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Magnolia Cardona
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, 14 University Dr, Robina, QLD, 4229, Australia
| | - Anna Scott
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, 14 University Dr, Robina, QLD, 4229, Australia
| | - Justin Clark
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, 14 University Dr, Robina, QLD, 4229, Australia
| | | | - Emmanuel Effa
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
| | - Eleanor Ochodo
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Ray Moynihan
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, 14 University Dr, Robina, QLD, 4229, Australia
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Abstract
BACKGROUND The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends parasitological testing of all suspected malaria cases using malaria rapid diagnostic tests (mRDTs) or microscopy prior to treatment. Some governments have extended this responsibility to community health workers (CHWs) to reduce malaria morbidity and mortality through prompt and appropriate treatment. This is an update of a Cochrane Review first published in 2013. OBJECTIVES To evaluate community-based management strategies for treating malaria or fever that incorporate both a definitive diagnosis with an mRDT and appropriate antimalarial treatment. SEARCH METHODS We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, five other databases, and three trials registers up to 14 September 2021. SELECTION CRITERIA We included individually randomized trials and cluster-randomized controlled trials (cRCTs), controlled before-after studies, and controlled interrupted time series studies in people living in malaria-endemic areas, comparing programmes that train CHWs and drug shop vendors to perform mRDTs and provide appropriate treatment versus similar programmes that do not use mRDTs, and versus routine health facility care. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We used standard Cochrane methods. For each dichotomous outcome, we extracted the number of participants with the event and the total number of participants in each group, unless studies presented results at a population level only. Primary outcomes were all-cause mortality, hospitalizations, and number of people receiving an antimalarial within 24 hours. Secondary outcomes were malaria-specific mortality, severe malaria, outcomes related to antimalarial treatments, antibiotic prescribing to people with a negative microscopy or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) result, parasitaemia, anaemia, and all adverse events. MAIN RESULTS We included eight studies from several African countries, Afghanistan, and Myanmar. Staff included CHWs and drug shop vendors. Community use of malaria rapid diagnostic tests compared to clinical diagnosis Compared to clinical diagnosis, mRDT diagnosis results in reduced prescribing of antimalarials to people who are found to be malaria parasite-negative by microscopy or PCR testing (71 fewer per 100 people, 95% confidence interval (CI) 79 to 51 fewer; risk ratio (RR) 0.17, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.40; 3 cRCTs, 7877 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). This reduction may be greater among CHWs compared to drug shop vendors. People diagnosed by mRDT are more likely to receive appropriate treatment; that is, an antimalarial if they are microscopy- or PCR-positive and no antimalarial if they are microscopy- or PCR-negative (RR 3.04, 95% CI 2.46 to 3.74, 3 cRCTs, 9332 participants; high-certainty evidence). Three studies found that a small percentage of people with a negative mRDT result (as read by the CHW or drug shop vendors at the time of treatment) were nevertheless given an antimalarial: 38/1368 (2.8%), 44/724 (6.1%) and 124/950 (13.1%). Conversely, in two studies, a few mRDT-positive people did not receive an antimalarial (0.5% and 0.3%), and one small cross-over study found that 6/57 (10.5%) people classified as non-malaria in the clinical diagnosis arm received an antimalarial. Use of mRDTs probably increases antibiotic use compared to clinical diagnosis (13 more per 100 people, 95% CI 3 to 29 more; RR 2.02, 95% CI 1.21 to 3.37; 2 cRCTs, 5179 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). We were unable to demonstrate any effect on mortality. Community use of malaria rapid diagnostic tests compared to health facility care Results were insufficient to reach any conclusion. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Use of mRDTs by CHWs and drug shop vendors compared to clinical diagnosis reduces prescribing of antimalarials to people without malaria. Deaths were uncommon in both groups. Antibiotic prescribing was higher in those with a negative mRDT than in those with a negative clinical diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth N Allen
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Alison Beriliy Wiyeh
- Cochrane South Africa, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Michael McCaul
- Centre for Evidence-based Health Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
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9
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Albarqouni L, Arab-Zozani M, Abukmail E, Greenwood H, Pathirana T, Clark J, Kopitowski K, Johansson M, Born K, Lang E, Moynihan R. Overdiagnosis and overuse of diagnostic and screening tests in low-income and middle-income countries: a scoping review. BMJ Glob Health 2022; 7:bmjgh-2022-008696. [PMID: 36316027 PMCID: PMC9442491 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2022-008696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Overdiagnosis and overuse of healthcare services harm individuals, take resources that could be used to address underuse, and threaten the sustainability of health systems. These problems are attracting increasing attention in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). Unaware of any review of relevant evidence, we conducted a scoping review of the evidence around overdiagnosis and overuse of diagnostic and screening tests in LMICs. Design Scoping review. Methods We searched PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, Global Index Medicus for relevant studies published until 24 May 2021, with no restrictions on date or language. We categorised included studies by major focus (overdiagnosis, overuse of tests, or both) and main themes (presence or estimates of extent; drivers; consequences and solutions). Results We identified 2763 unique records and included 162 articles reporting on 154 studies across 55 countries, involving over 2.8 million participants and/or requests for tests. Almost half the studies focused on overdiagnosis (70; 45.5%), one-third on overuse of tests (61; 39.6%) and one-fifth on both (23; 14.9%). Common overdiagnosed conditions included malaria (61; 39.6%) and thyroid cancer (25; 16.2%), estimated to be >70% in China. Overused tests included imaging (n=25 studies) such as CT and MRI; laboratory investigations (n=18) such as serological tests and tumour markers; and procedures (n=14) such as colonoscopy. Drivers included fear of conflict with patients and expanding disease definitions. Common consequences included unnecessary treatments such as antimalarials, and wasted resources, with costs of malaria overdiagnosis estimated at US$86 million in Sudan in 1 year alone. Only 9% of studies discussed solutions, which included addressing inappropriately lowered diagnostic thresholds and reforming test-ordering processes. Conclusions Overdiagnosis and overuse of tests are widespread in LMICs and generate significant harm and waste. Better understanding of the problems and robust evaluation of solutions is needed, informed by a new global alliance of researchers and policy-makers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loai Albarqouni
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare (IEBH), Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Morteza Arab-Zozani
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Eman Abukmail
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare (IEBH), Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Hannah Greenwood
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare (IEBH), Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Thanya Pathirana
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare (IEBH), Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia,School of Medicine and Dentistry, Griffith University, Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - Justin Clark
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare (IEBH), Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Karin Kopitowski
- Directora Departamento de Investigación, Instituto Universitario Hospital Italiano, Argentina, Argentina
| | - Minna Johansson
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden,Cochrane Sustainable Healthcare, Uddevalla, Sweden
| | - Karen Born
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Eddy Lang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Ray Moynihan
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare (IEBH), Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
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10
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Bohle LF, Abdallah AK, Galli F, Canavan R, Molesworth K. Knowledge, attitudes and practices towards malaria diagnostics among healthcare providers and healthcare-seekers in Kondoa district, Tanzania: a multi-methodological situation analysis. Malar J 2022; 21:224. [PMID: 35864543 PMCID: PMC9306200 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-022-04244-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Despite the large-scale rollout of malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) in Tanzania, many healthcare providers (HCPs) continue using blood film microscopy (BFM) and clinical examination to diagnose malaria, which can increase the risk of mal-diagnosis and over-prescribing of anti-malarials. Patients disregarding negative test results and self-treating exacerbate the problem. This study explored the knowledge, attitudes and practices of HCPs and healthcare-seekers regarding RDTs in comparison to BFM testing. Methods A situational analysis was, therefore, conducted in Kondoa District, Dodoma Region, Tanzania. A multi-methodological approach was adopted including (i) a health facility inventory and screening of logbooks from May 2013 to April 2014 with 77,126 patient entries from 33 health facilities; (ii) a survey of 40 HCPs offering malaria services; and iii) a survey of 309 randomly selected household members from the facilities’ catchment area. Surveys took place in April and May 2014. Results Health facility records revealed that out of 77,126 patient entries, 22% (n = 17,235) obtained a malaria diagnosis. Of those, 45% were made with BFM, 33% with RDT and 22% with clinical diagnosis. A higher rate of positive diagnoses was observed with BFM compared with RDT (71% vs 14%). In the HCP survey, 48% preferred using BFM for malaria testing, while 52% preferred RDT. Faced with a negative RDT result for a patient presenting with symptoms typical for malaria, 25% of HCPs stated they would confirm the result with a microscopy test, 70% would advise or perform a clinical diagnosis and 18% would prescribe anti-malarials. Interviews with household members revealed a preference for microscopy testing (58%) over RDT (23%), if presented with malaria symptoms. For participants familiar with both tests, a second opinion was desired in 45% after a negative microscopy result and in 90% after an RDT. Conclusions Non-adherence to negative diagnostics by HCPs and patients continues to be a concern. Frequent training and supportive supervision for HCPs diagnosing and treating malaria and non-malaria febrile illnesses is essential to offer quality services that can instil confidence in HCPs and patients alike. The introduction of new diagnostic devices should be paired with context-specific behaviour change interventions targeting healthcare-seekers and healthcare providers. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12936-022-04244-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah F Bohle
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland. .,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Ally-Kebby Abdallah
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Health Promotion and System Strengthening Project (HPSS), Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Francesco Galli
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Robert Canavan
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Kate Molesworth
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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11
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Shelus V, Mumbere N, Masereka A, Masika B, Kiitha J, Nyangoma G, Mulogo EM, Barrington C, Baguma E, Muhindo R, Herrington JE, Emch M, Maman S, Boyce RM. "Testing for malaria does not cure any pain" A qualitative study exploring low use of malaria rapid diagnostic tests at drug shops in rural Uganda. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 2:e0001235. [PMID: 36962844 PMCID: PMC10021593 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The World Health Organization recommends all suspected malaria cases be confirmed with a parasitological test, typically a rapid diagnostic test (RDT), prior to treatment. Despite recommendations, many fevers presenting at private drug shops are treated presumptively as malaria without diagnostic testing. The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe community perceptions of RDTs and explore ways to improve malaria case management at drug shops in Bugoye, western Uganda. A total of 63 in-depth interviews were conducted between September and December 2021 with 24 drug shop clients, 19 drug shop vendors, 12 community health workers, and 8 health and community officials. Data was analyzed using thematic content analysis and narrative techniques. While drug shop clients valued RDTs, the cost of the test limited their use. Further, mistrust in negative results and fear about treatment options for conditions other than malaria led to nonadherence to negative RDTs. Improvement with antimalarials after a negative RDT, or no RDT at all, was seen as proof an individual had malaria, reinforcing the acceptability of liberal antimalarial use. Drug shop vendors were knowledgeable about malaria case management but financially conflicted between recommending best practices and losing business. While clients viewed drug shop vendors as trusted health professionals, health officials distrusted them as business owners focused on maximizing profits. Study results suggest public-private partnerships that recognize the essential role of drug shops, better incorporate them into the healthcare system, and leverage the high levels of community trust in vendors, could provide greater opportunities for oversight and training to improve private-sector malaria case management. Interventions that address financial barriers to RDT use, emphasize the financial benefits of malaria testing, increase vendor knowledge about illnesses confused with malaria, and improve the quality of vendor-client counseling could increase RDT uptake and improve adherence to RDT results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Shelus
- Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Carolina Population Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Nobert Mumbere
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Amos Masereka
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Bonita Masika
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Joackim Kiitha
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Grace Nyangoma
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Edgar M Mulogo
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Clare Barrington
- Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Carolina Population Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Emmanuel Baguma
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Rabbison Muhindo
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - James E Herrington
- Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Michael Emch
- Carolina Population Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Geography, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Suzanne Maman
- Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Ross M Boyce
- Carolina Population Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
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12
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Rahi M, Sharma A. Free Market Availability of Rapid Diagnostics Will Empower Communities To Control Malaria in India. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2021; 105:281-283. [PMID: 34181575 PMCID: PMC8437197 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-0213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Globally, malaria incidence has declined but further reductions in malaria are not evident in many countries. In addition to the public health approaches for tackling malaria, involvement of the private sector is vital because the private sector plays a central role in healthcare delivery to the masses. In India, malaria management is primarily provided through government programs, nonetheless, significant numbers of fever patients continue to seek healthcare in the private sector. The private sector in India is comprised of formal healthcare (qualified and approved), informal healthcare (unqualified, untrained), including traditional healers. Commercial channels for the procurement of quality-assured malaria diagnostics like rapid diagnostic tests via pharmacies or other approved outlets would empower Indian populations to self-detect malaria without delay. Easier access would minimize the diagnostic time gap, reduce costs to the patient, prevent inappropriate malaria treatment, and foster timely treatment of both malaria and non-malaria infections. Commercially available rapid diagnostic tests in the hands of the people could be an important tool in our fight against malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manju Rahi
- Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, India
| | - Amit Sharma
- National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi, India
- Molecular Medicine, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
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13
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Laktabai J, Saran I, Zhou Y, Simmons RA, Turner EL, Visser T, O'Meara W. Subsidise the test, the treatment or both? Results of an individually randomised controlled trial of the management of suspected malaria fevers in the retail sector in western Kenya. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 5:bmjgh-2020-003378. [PMID: 33148541 PMCID: PMC7640502 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-003378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In many malaria-endemic countries, the private retail sector is a major source of antimalarial drugs. However, the rarity of malaria diagnostic testing in the retail sector leads to overuse of the first-line class of antimalarial drugs known as artemisinin-combination therapies (ACTs). The goal of this study was to identify the combination of malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDT) and ACT subsidies that maximises the proportion of clients seeking care in a retail outlet that choose to purchase an RDT (RDT uptake) and use ACTs appropriately. METHODS 842 clients seeking care in 12 select retail outlets in western Kenya were recruited and randomised into 4 arms of different combinations of ACT and RDT subsidies, with ACT subsidies conditional on a positive RDT. The outcomes were RDT uptake (primary) and appropriate and targeted ACT use (secondary). Participants' familiarity with RDTs and their confidence in test results were also evaluated. RESULTS RDT uptake was high (over 96%) across the study arms. Testing uptake was 1.025 times higher (98% CI 1.002 to 1.049) in the RDT subsidised arms than in the unsubsidised groups. Over 98% of clients were aware of malaria testing, but only 35% had a previous experience with RDTs. Nonetheless, confidence in the accuracy of RDTs was high. We found high levels of appropriate use and targeting of ACTs, with 86% of RDT positives taking an ACT, and 93.4% of RDT negatives not taking an ACT. The conditional ACT subsidy did not affect the RDT test purchasing behaviour (risk ratio: 0.994; 98% CI 0.979 to 1.009). CONCLUSION Test dependent ACT subsidies may contribute to ACT targeting. However, in this context, high confidence in the accuracy of RDTs and reliable supplies of RDTs and ACTs likely played a greater role in testing uptake and adherence to test results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremiah Laktabai
- Department of Family Medicine, Moi University School of Medicine, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Indrani Saran
- Boston College School of Social Work, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Yunji Zhou
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA.,Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Ryan A Simmons
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA.,Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Elizabeth L Turner
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA.,Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Theodoor Visser
- Clinton Health Access Initiative, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Wendy O'Meara
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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14
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Deo S, Jindal P, Sabharwal M, Parulkar A, Singh R, Kadam R, Dabas H, Dewan P. Field sales force model to increase adoption of a novel tuberculosis diagnostic test among private providers: evidence from India. BMJ Glob Health 2020; 5:bmjgh-2020-003600. [PMID: 33376100 PMCID: PMC7778745 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-003600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Impact of novel high-quality tuberculosis (TB) tests such as Xpert MTB/RIF has been limited due to low uptake among private providers in high-burden countries including India. Our objective was to assess the impact of a demand generation intervention comprising field sales force on the uptake of high-quality TB tests by providers and its financial sustainability for private labs in the long run. Methods We implemented a demand generation intervention across five Indian cities between October 2014 and June 2016 and compared the change in the quantity of Xpert cartridges ordered by labs in these cities from before (February 2013–September 2014) to after intervention (October 2014–December 2015) to corresponding change in labs in comparable non-intervention cities. We embedded this difference-in-differences estimate within a financial model to calculate the internal rate of return (IRR) if the labs were to invest in an Xpert machine with or without the demand generation intervention. Results The intervention resulted in an estimated 60 additional Xpert cartridges ordered per lab-month in the intervention group, which yielded an estimated increase of 11 500 tests over the post-intervention period, at an additional cost of US$13.3–US$17.63 per test. Further, we found that investing in this intervention would increase the IRR from 4.8% to 5.5% for hospital labs but yield a negative IRR for standalone labs. Conclusions Field sales force model can generate additional demand for Xpert at private labs, but additional strategies may be needed to ensure its financial sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarang Deo
- Max Institute of Healthcare Management, Indian School of Business, Mohali, Punjab, India .,Operations Management, Indian School of Business, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Pankaj Jindal
- Operations Management, Indian School of Business, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | | | | | - Ritu Singh
- Clinton Health Access Initiative, New Delhi, India
| | | | | | - Puneet Dewan
- Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, New Delhi, India
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15
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Mbonye AK, Awor P, Kayendeke M, Hansen KS, Magnussen P, Clarke SE. Management of Childhood Infections in Poorly Planned Urban Settlements in Kampala and Wakiso Districts of Uganda. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 103:1681-1690. [PMID: 32876007 PMCID: PMC7543823 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-0115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The main objective of this study was to assess the management of childhood infections in high-density poorly planned urban areas of Kampala and Wakiso districts in Uganda, to develop a strategy to deliver integrated community case management (iCCM) of childhood illness services. A total of 72 private healthcare facilities were surveyed (36 drug shops, eight pharmacies, 27 private clinics, and one herbal clinic); supplemented by focus group discussions with village health teams (VHTs), drug shops, and private clinic providers. The majority of drug shops (96.4%, 27/28), pharmacies (100%, 8/8), and (68%, private clinics 17/27) were registered; however, supervision was poor. The majority of patients (> 77%) who visited private health facilities were children aged < 5 years. Furthermore, over 80% (29/64) of the children with uncomplicated malaria were reported to have been given artemether–lumefantrine, and 42% with difficulty breathing were given an antibiotic. Although > 72% providers said they referred children with severe illnesses, taking up referral was complicated by poverty, long distances, and the perception that there were inadequate drugs at referral facilities. Less than 38% of all the facilities had malaria treatment guidelines; < 15% had iCCM guidelines; 6% of the drug shops had iCCM guidelines; and < 13% of the facilities had pneumonia and diarrhea treatment guidelines. Village health teams existed in the study areas, although they had little knowledge on causes and prevention of pneumonia. In conclusion, this study found that quality of care was poor and introduction of iCCM delivered through VHTs, drug shops, and private clinics may, with proper training and support, be a feasible intervention to improve care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony K Mbonye
- School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Phyllis Awor
- School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Kristian S Hansen
- Department of Public Health, Centre for Health Economics and Policy, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Pascal Magnussen
- Institute for Immunology and Microbiology, Centre for Medical Parasitology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sian E Clarke
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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16
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In-vitro diagnostic point-of-care tests in paediatric ambulatory care: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0235605. [PMID: 32628707 PMCID: PMC7337322 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0235605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Paediatric consultations form a significant proportion of all consultations in ambulatory care. Point-of-care tests (POCTs) may offer a potential solution to improve clinical outcomes for children by reducing diagnostic uncertainty in acute illness, and streamlining management of chronic diseases. However, their clinical impact in paediatric ambulatory care is unknown. We aimed to describe the clinical impact of all in-vitro diagnostic POCTs on patient outcomes and healthcare processes in paediatric ambulatory care. METHODS We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Pubmed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Web of Science from inception to 29 January 2020 without language restrictions. We included studies of children presenting to ambulatory care settings (general practice, hospital outpatient clinics, or emergency departments, walk-in centres, registered drug shops delivering healthcare) where in-vitro diagnostic POCTs were compared to usual care. We included all quantitative clinical outcome data across all conditions or infection syndromes reporting on the impact of POCTs on clinical care and healthcare processes. Where feasible, we calculated risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) by performing meta-analysis using random effects models. RESULTS We included 35 studies. Data relating to at least one outcome were available for 89,439 children of whom 45,283 had a POCT across six conditions or infection syndromes: malaria (n = 14); non-specific acute fever 'illness' (n = 7); sore throat (n = 5); acute respiratory tract infections (n = 5); HIV (n = 3); and diabetes (n = 1). Outcomes centred around decision-making such as prescription of medications or hospital referral. Pooled estimates showed that malarial-POCTs (Plasmodium falciparum) better targeted antimalarial treatment by reducing over-treatment by a third compared to usual care (RR 0.67; 95% CI [0.58 to 0.77], n = 36,949). HIV-POCTs improved initiating earlier antiretroviral therapy compared to usual care (RR, 3.11; 95% CI [1.55 to 6.25], n = 912). Across the other four conditions, there was limited evidence for the benefit of POCTs in paediatric ambulatory care except for acute respiratory tract infections (RTI) in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs), where POCT C-Reactive Protein (CRP) may reduce immediate antibiotic prescribing by a third (risk difference, -0.29 [-0.47, -0.11], n = 2,747). This difference was shown in randomised controlled trials in LMICs which included guidance on interpretation of POCT-CRP, specific training or employed a diagnostic algorithm prior to POC testing. CONCLUSION Overall, there is a paucity of evidence for the use of POCTs in paediatric ambulatory care. POCTs help to target prescribing for children with malaria and HIV. There is emerging evidence that POCT-CRP may better target antibiotic prescribing for children with acute RTIs in LMIC, but not in high-income countries. Research is urgently needed to understand where POCTs are likely to improve clinical outcomes in paediatric settings worldwide.
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17
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Bath D, Goodman C, Yeung S. Modelling the cost-effectiveness of introducing subsidised malaria rapid diagnostic tests in the private retail sector in sub-Saharan Africa. BMJ Glob Health 2020; 5:bmjgh-2019-002138. [PMID: 32439690 PMCID: PMC7247415 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2019-002138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Over the last 10 years, there has been a huge shift in malaria diagnosis in public health facilities, due to widespread deployment of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), which are accurate, quick and easy to use and inexpensive. There are calls for RDTs to be made available at-scale in the private retail sector where many people with suspected malaria seek care. Retail sector RDT use in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is limited to small-scale studies, and robust evidence on value-for-money is not yet available. We modelled the cost-effectiveness of introducing subsidised RDTs and supporting interventions in the SSA retail sector, in a context of a subsidy programme for first-line antimalarials. Methods We developed a decision tree following febrile patients through presentation, diagnosis, treatment, disease progression and further care, to final health outcomes. We modelled results for three ‘treatment scenarios’, based on parameters from three small-scale studies in Nigeria (TS-N), Tanzania (TS-T) and Uganda (TS-U), under low and medium/high transmission (5% and 50% Plasmodium falciparum (parasite) positivity rates (PfPR), respectively). Results Cost-effectiveness varied considerably between treatment scenarios. Cost per disability-adjusted life year averted at 5% PfPR was US$482 (TS-N) and US$115 (TS-T) and at 50% PfPR US$44 (TS-N) and US$45 (TS-T), from a health service perspective. TS-U was dominated in both transmission settings. Conclusion The cost-effectiveness of subsidised RDTs is strongly influenced by treatment practices, for which further evidence is required from larger-scale operational settings. However, subsidised RDTs could promote increased use of first-line antimalarials in patients with malaria. RDTs may, therefore, be more cost-effective in higher transmission settings, where a greater proportion of patients have malaria and benefit from increased antimalarial use. This is contrary to previous public sector models, where RDTs were most cost-effective in lower transmission settings as they reduced unnecessary antimalarial use in patients without malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Bath
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Catherine Goodman
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Shunmay Yeung
- Department of Clinical Research, Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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18
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Albasri A, Van den Bruel A, Hayward G, McManus RJ, Sheppard JP, Verbakel JYJ. Impact of point-of-care tests in community pharmacies: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e034298. [PMID: 32414821 PMCID: PMC7232628 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-034298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To summarise the literature regarding the use of point-of-care test (POCT) in pharmacies versus control/usual care. DESIGN AND SETTING Systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis in community pharmacy. DATA SOURCES MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, ClinicalTrial.gov and Web of Science databases were searched. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Articles were included if they: involved a POCT conducted by a community pharmacist, member of pharmacy staff or local equivalent; measured a clinically relevant outcome for example, clinical parameter monitoring. No clinical condition or language limits were set. PATIENT AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT No patient involvement. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS Data were independently extracted by two members of the review team to capture changes in clinical care that resulted from the use of the POCTs. The methodological quality of included studies was assessed, using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and Newcastle-Ottawa scale. RESULTS Thirteen of the 1584 articles found were included in the meta-analyses. Studies covered four therapeutic areas: targeted anti-malarial therapy (n=3 studies), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in diabetes (n=2 studies), lipid control (n=3 studies) and international normalised ratio (INR) control in patients taking warfarin (n=5 studies). POCT in pharmacies reduced the risk of receiving antimalarial treatment when not clinically indicated (risk ratio 0.34, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.37). Lipid and HbA1c control appeared largely unaffected by pharmacy POCTs, and the impact on INR time-in-therapeutic-range was inconclusive. CONCLUSIONS Only 4 out of 13 included studies used a gold-standard randomised controlled trial (RCT) design, limiting our ability to conclusively determine the clinical utility of POCT conducted in pharmacies. Further RCTs are needed, particularly in areas such as upper respiratory tract infections, which have gathered momentum among service commissioners in recent years. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42017048578.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Albasri
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Ann Van den Bruel
- Academic Centre for General Practice, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
- EPI-Centre, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
| | - Gail Hayward
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Richard J McManus
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - James Peter Sheppard
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jan Yvan Jos Verbakel
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Academic Centre for General Practice, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
- EPI-Centre, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
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19
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Mbonye AK, Buregyeya E, Rutebemberwa E, Lal S, Clarke SE, Hansen KS, Magnussen P, LaRussa P. Treatment of Sick Children Seeking Care in the Private Health Sector in Uganda: A Cluster Randomized Trial. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 102:658-666. [PMID: 31971139 PMCID: PMC7056412 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.19-0367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The main objective of this study was to assess whether training of private health providers and community sensitization on the importance of effective prompt care seeking and the need for referral could improve treatment of sick children in the private health sector in Uganda. Private providers were trained to diagnose and treat sick children according to the integrated community case management (iCCM) guidelines. In the control arm, routine services were offered. The outcomes were seeking care within 24 hours of onset of symptoms and appropriate case management for malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhea among children aged < 5 years. A total of 10,809 sick children (5,955 in the intervention arm and 4,854 in the control arm) presented for diagnosis and treatment. The percentage seeking care within 24 hours of onset of symptoms was 45.4% (95% CI 36.0–48.8) in the intervention arm versus 43.9% (95% CI 38.1–49.8) in the control arm (P = 0.04). Adherence to malaria rapid diagnostic test (mRDT) results was high, with 1,459 (94.3%) in the intervention arm versus 1,402 (83.0%) in the control arm (P = 0.04). Appropriate treatment of mRDT-positive children with artemisinin-based combination therapy was seen in 93.1% (95% CI 88.5–97.7) in the intervention arm versus 85.1% (95% CI 78.6–91.7) in the control arm (P = 0.03). Adherence to iCCM guidelines was very high: 89.1% of children with diarrhea in the intervention arm and 80.4% in the control arm were given oral rehydration salts and zinc (P = 0.01). Of the children with a respiratory rate > 40 breaths/minute, 1,596 (85.1%) in the intervention arm versus 104 (54.5%) in the control arm were given amoxicillin (P = 0.01). In conclusion, the intervention improved treatment of malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhea because of provider adherence to treatment guidelines. The policy implications of these findings are to initiate a dialogue at district and national levels on how to scale up the intervention in the private sector. NCT02450630 registered with ClinicalTrials.gov: May 9, 2015.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony K Mbonye
- School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Esther Buregyeya
- Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Elizeus Rutebemberwa
- Department of Health Policy, Planning and Management, School of Public Health, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Sham Lal
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Siân E Clarke
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kristian S Hansen
- Department of Public Health and Centre for Health Economics and Policy, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Pascal Magnussen
- Institute for Immunology and Microbiology, Centre for Medical Parasitology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Philip LaRussa
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
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20
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Ndagije HB, Kiguba R, Manirakiza L, Kirabira E, Sserwanga A, Nabirye L, Mukonzo J, Olsson S, Spinewine A, D'Hoore W, Speybroeck N. Healthcare professionals' perspective can guide post-marketing surveillance of artemisinin-based combination therapy in Uganda. Malar J 2020; 19:63. [PMID: 32041619 PMCID: PMC7011371 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-020-3148-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Efficient testing to identify poor quality artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) is important to optimize efforts to control and eliminate malaria. Healthcare professionals interact with both ACT and malaria patients they treat and hence could observe, first-hand, suspect poor quality artemisinin-based combinations linked to poor malaria treatment outcomes and the factors associated with inappropriate use or treatment failure. METHODS A cross-sectional study of 685 HCP perspectives about the efficacy of ACT between June and July 2018 at selected health facilities in Uganda. Medicine samples were obtained from the seven regions of Uganda and tested for quality using the Germany Pharma Health Fund™ minilabs. RESULTS The average age of the 685 respondents was 30 (SD = 7.4) years. There was an almost equal distribution between male and female respondents (51:49), respectively. Seventy percent (n = 480) were diploma holders and the nurses contributed to half (49%, n = 334) of the study population. Sixty-one percent of the HCPs reported having ever encountered ACT failures while treating uncomplicated malaria. Nineteen percent of HCPs thought that dihydroartemisinin/piperaquine gave the most satisfactory patient treatment outcomes, while 80% HCPs thought that artemether/lumefantrine gave the least satisfactory patient treatment outcomes, possibly due to dosing schedule and pill burden. Healthcare professionals from the Central region (OR = 3.0, CI 0.3-1.0; P = 0.0001), Eastern region (OR = 5.4, CI 2.9-9.8; P = 0.0001) and Northern region (OR = 5.3, CI 2.9-9.9; P = 0.0001) had a higher chance of encountering ACT failure in 4 weeks prior to the survey as compared to those from the western region. Healthcare professionals from private health facilities also had higher chances of encountering ACT failures in past 4 weeks as compared to those from public health facilities (OR = 2.7, CI 1.7-3.9; P = 0.0001). All 192 samples passed the quality screening tests. The random sample of 10% of all samples randomly obtained by the laboratory staff also passed the chemical content analysis and dissolution tests. CONCLUSION ACT medicines are widely available over-the-counter to the public and it is very difficult to report and monitor a decrease in efficacy or treatment failure. The perspectives of HCPs on treatment failure or lack of efficacy may potentially guide optimization efforts of sampling methodologies for the quality survey of ACT medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ronald Kiguba
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Leonard Manirakiza
- National Pharmacovigilance Centre, National Drug Authority, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Elijah Kirabira
- National Pharmacovigilance Centre, National Drug Authority, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Allan Sserwanga
- National Pharmacovigilance Centre, National Drug Authority, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Leah Nabirye
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Jackson Mukonzo
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Sten Olsson
- Pharmacovigilance Consulting, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anne Spinewine
- Institute of Health and Society (IRSS), Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - William D'Hoore
- Institute of Health and Society (IRSS), Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Niko Speybroeck
- Institute of Health and Society (IRSS), Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
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21
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O'Boyle S, Bruxvoort KJ, Ansah EK, Burchett HED, Chandler CIR, Clarke SE, Goodman C, Mbacham W, Mbonye AK, Onwujekwe OE, Staedke SG, Wiseman VL, Whitty CJM, Hopkins H. Patients with positive malaria tests not given artemisinin-based combination therapies: a research synthesis describing under-prescription of antimalarial medicines in Africa. BMC Med 2020; 18:17. [PMID: 31996199 PMCID: PMC6990477 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-019-1483-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There has been a successful push towards parasitological diagnosis of malaria in Africa, mainly with rapid diagnostic tests (mRDTs), which has reduced over-prescribing of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACT) to malaria test-negative patients. The effect on prescribing for test-positive patients has received much less attention. Malaria infection in endemic Africa is often most dangerous for young children and those in low-transmission settings. This study examined non-prescription of antimalarials for patients with malaria infection demonstrated by positive mRDT results, and in particular these groups who are most vulnerable to poor outcomes if antimalarials are not given. METHODS Analysis of data from 562,762 patients in 8 studies co-designed as part of the ACT Consortium, conducted 2007-2013 in children and adults, in Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda, in a variety of public and private health care sector settings, and across a range of malaria endemic zones. RESULTS Of 106,039 patients with positive mRDT results (median age 6 years), 7426 (7.0%) were not prescribed an ACT antimalarial. The proportion of mRDT-positive patients not prescribed ACT ranged across sites from 1.3 to 37.1%. For patients under age 5 years, 3473/44,539 (7.8%) were not prescribed an ACT, compared with 3833/60,043 (6.4%) of those aged ≥ 5 years. The proportion of < 5-year-olds not prescribed ACT ranged up to 41.8% across sites. The odds of not being prescribed an ACT were 2-32 times higher for patients in settings with lower-transmission intensity (using test positivity as a proxy) compared to areas of higher transmission. mRDT-positive children in low-transmission settings were especially likely not to be prescribed ACT, with proportions untreated up to 70%. Of the 7426 mRDT-positive patients not prescribed an ACT, 4121 (55.5%) were prescribed other, non-recommended non-ACT antimalarial medications, and the remainder (44.5%) were prescribed no antimalarial. CONCLUSIONS In eight studies of mRDT implementation in five African countries, substantial proportions of patients testing mRDT-positive were not prescribed an ACT antimalarial, and many were not prescribed an antimalarial at all. Patients most vulnerable to serious outcomes, children < 5 years and those in low-transmission settings, were most likely to not be prescribed antimalarials, and young children in low-transmission settings were least likely to be treated for malaria. This major public health risk must be addressed in training and practice. TRIAL REGISTRATION Reported in individual primary studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Katia J Bruxvoort
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.,Department of Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, USA
| | - Evelyn K Ansah
- Centre for Malaria Research, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Accra, Ghana
| | | | | | - Siân E Clarke
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Wilfred Mbacham
- Public Health Biotechnology, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | | | - Obinna E Onwujekwe
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Nigeria, Enugu, Nigeria
| | | | - Virginia L Wiseman
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.,School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Heidi Hopkins
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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22
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Na'uzo AM, Tukur D, Sufiyan MB, Stephen AA, Ajayi I, Bamgboye E, Gobir AA, Umeokonkwo CD, Abdullahi Z, Ajumobi O. Adherence to malaria rapid diagnostic test result among healthcare workers in Sokoto metropolis, Nigeria. Malar J 2020; 19:2. [PMID: 31898498 PMCID: PMC6941286 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-019-3094-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Presumptive diagnosis and prescription of anti-malarial medicines to malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDT)-negative patients is a common practice among health care workers (HCWs) in Nigeria. There is paucity of data on HCWs adherence to RDT result in Sokoto metropolis, Nigeria. The study was conducted to determine HCWs adherence to malaria test result and the influencing factors. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 262 HCWs selected by multistage sampling technique from primary and secondary health facilities in Sokoto metropolis. Data on demographic characteristics, adherence to RDT result and its influencing factors were collected from the HCWs. Adherence was categorized into good if adherence score is ≥ 4 and poor if otherwise. Chi-squared test was used to test association between adherence to test results and patients’ fever presentation, expectation to be given anti-malarials, prior HCWs’ case management training, among others. Independent predictors of adherence to RDT results were ascertained. Results Respondents’ mean age was 33.5 ± 7.9 years, 190 (72.5%) worked in Primary Health Care facilities, 112 (42.8%) were Community Health Workers, 178 (67.9%) had National Diploma Certificate. The median years of practice was 5.0 (IQR: 3–10) years, while 118 (45.0%) had at most 4 years of practice. Overall, 211 (80.5%) had good adherence to RDT results. About 108 (89.3%) of HCWs who had training on malaria case management and 35 (89.7%) certificate holders had good adherence to RDT results. Predictors of adherence to test results were presence of fever in the patient [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 2.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.18–5.43], patients’ expectation to be given anti-malarial medicines by the HCW (aOR: 3.06, 95% CI 1.42–6.58) and having been trained on malaria case management (aOR: 2.63; 95% CI 1.26–5.44). Conclusion High level of adherence to RDT results among HCWs in Sokoto metropolis could be attributed to prior malaria case management training and HCWs’ confidence in the national treatment guidelines. Continual training and supportive supervision of HCWs on malaria case management might optimize the current level of adherence to RDT results in Sokoto metropolis, Nigeria. Similarly, patients/caregivers’ health education could aid better understanding of the need for anti-malarials thus reducing unnecessary demand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliyu Mamman Na'uzo
- Department of Paediatrics, Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria. .,Nigerian Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme, Abuja, Nigeria.
| | - Dahiru Tukur
- Department of Community Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
| | | | - Adebowale Ayo Stephen
- Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Faculty of Public Health, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - IkeOluwapo Ajayi
- Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Faculty of Public Health, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Eniola Bamgboye
- Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Faculty of Public Health, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | | | | | - Zainab Abdullahi
- Department of Community Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria
| | - Olufemi Ajumobi
- Nigerian Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme, Abuja, Nigeria.,National Malaria Elimination Programme, Federal Ministry of Health Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria.,School of Community Health Sciences, University of Nevada, Reno, USA
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23
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Coalson JE, Cohee LM, Walldorf JA, Bauleni A, Mathanga DP, Taylor TE, Wilson ML, Laufer MK. Challenges in Treatment for Fever among School-Age Children and Adults in Malawi. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2019; 100:287-295. [PMID: 30526747 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.18-0687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Prompt and effective treatment is key to malaria control and prevention, as it reduces disease morbidity and mortality and minimizes the number of transmission reservoirs. Transmission reduction may be particularly important among school-age children (SAC, 5-15 years old), who have the highest prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum infection in southern Malawi. We hypothesized that one factor contributing to this difference in prevalence is that SAC are less likely to seek appropriate treatment for fever than children younger than 5 years. In this study, we assessed treatment-seeking behaviors of people of all ages between 2012 and 2014 in Malawi. During each of the five cross-sectional surveys, all members of ∼900 households reported on fever and treatment-seeking in the previous 2 weeks. Multilevel logistic regression was used to analyze predictors of whether febrile people sought treatment and whether they did so at formal (government/private clinics) or informal sources (primarily shops). Twenty-two percent of participants (3,579/16,621) reported fever, and 2,715 of those (75.9%) sought treatment. Seeking treatment exclusively from local shops remains a common practice, although use of recommended diagnostic testing and antimalarial drugs was infrequently reported there. Although SAC were not significantly less likely than children aged < 5 years to seek treatment, SAC and adults (age ≥ 16 years) were significantly less likely to use formal sources. Our results indicate that encouraging treatment at government/private clinics and increasing retail access to appropriate antimalarial testing and treatment, especially among SAC, could help remedy inadequate treatment of symptomatic disease and potentially reduce Plasmodium transmission in Malawi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna E Coalson
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Lauren M Cohee
- Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jenny A Walldorf
- Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Andrew Bauleni
- Malaria Alert Center, University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Don P Mathanga
- Malaria Alert Center, University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Terrie E Taylor
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - Mark L Wilson
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Miriam K Laufer
- Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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Rahimi A, Kassam R, Dang Z, Sekiwunga R. Challenges with accessing health care for young children presumed to have malaria in the rural district of Butaleja, Uganda: a qualitative study. Pharm Pract (Granada) 2019; 17:1622. [PMID: 31897260 PMCID: PMC6935545 DOI: 10.18549/pharmpract.2019.4.1622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: A qualitative study was conducted to gain insight into challenges reported by
Butaleja households during a previous household survey. Specifically, this
paper discusses heads of households’ and caregivers’
perceptions of challenges they face when seeking care for their very young
children with fever presumed to be malaria. Methods: Eleven focus groups (FGs) were carried out with household members (five with
heads of households and six with household caregivers) residing in five
sub-counties located across the district. Purposive sampling was used to
ensure the sample represented the religious diversity and geographical
distance from the peri-urban center of the district. Each FG consisted of
five to six participants. The FGs were conducted at a community centre by
two pairs of researchers residing in the district and who were fluent in
both English and the local dialect of Lunyole. The discussions were
recorded, translated, and transcribed. Transcripts were reviewed and coded
with the assistance of QDA Miner (version 4.0) qualitative data management
software, and analyzed using thematic content analysis. Results: The FG discussions identified four major areas of challenges when managing
acute febrile illness in their child under the age of five with presumed
malaria (1) difficulties with getting to public health facilities due to
long geographical distances and lack of affordable transportation; (2) poor
service once at a public health facility, including denial of care, delay in
treatment, and negative experiences with the staff; (3) difficulties with
managing the child’s illness at home, including challenges with
keeping home-stock medicines and administering medicines as prescribed; and
(4) constrained to use private outlets despite their shortcomings. Conclusions: Future interventions may need to look beyond the public health system to
improve case management of childhood malaria at the community level in rural
districts such as Butaleja. Given the difficulties with accessing quality
private health outlets, there is a need to partner with the private sector
to explore feasible models of community-based health insurance programs and
expand the role of informal private providers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asa Rahimi
- BSc (Hons). Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia. Vancouver, BC (Canada).
| | - Rosemin Kassam
- BSc Pharm, ACPR, PharmD, PhD. Professor. School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia. Vancouver, BC (Canada).
| | - Zhong Dang
- BSc MBIM. Research Assistant. School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia. Vancouver, BC (Canada).
| | - Richard Sekiwunga
- MSc PRH. Scientist. Child Health and Development Centre, School of Medicine, Makerere University, Kampala (Uganda).
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25
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Ochodo EA, Naidoo S, Schumacher S, Steingart K, Deeks J, Cobelens F, Bossuyt PM, Young T, Nicol MP. Improving the design of studies evaluating the impact of diagnostic tests for tuberculosis on health outcomes: a qualitative study of perspectives of diverse stakeholders. Wellcome Open Res 2019; 4:183. [PMID: 32133421 PMCID: PMC7041361 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.15551.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Studies evaluating the impact of Xpert MTB/RIF testing for tuberculosis (TB) have demonstrated varied effects on health outcomes with many studies showing inconclusive results. We explored perceptions among diverse stakeholders about studies evaluating the impact of TB diagnostic tests, and identified suggestions for improving these studies. Methods: We used purposive sampling with consideration for differing expertise and geographical balance and conducted in depth semi-structured interviews. We interviewed English-speaking participants, including TB patients, and others involved in research, care or decision-making about TB diagnostics. We used the thematic approach to code and analyse the interview transcripts. Results: We interviewed 31 participants. Our study showed that stakeholders had different expectations with regard to test impact and how it is measured. TB test impact studies were perceived to be important for supporting implementation of tests but there were concerns about the unrealistic expectations placed on tests to improve outcomes in health systems with many influencing factors. To improve TB test impact studies, respondents suggested conducting health system assessments prior to the study; developing clear guidance on the study methodology and interpretation; improving study design by describing questions and interventions that consider the influences of the health-care ecosystem on the diagnostic test; selecting the target population at the health-care level most likely to benefit from the test; setting realistic targets for effect sizes in the sample size calculations; and interpreting study results carefully and avoiding categorisation and interpretation of results based on statistical significance alone. Researchers should involve multiple stakeholders in the design of studies. Advocating for more funding to support robust studies is essential. Conclusion: TB test impact studies were perceived to be important to support implementation of tests but there were concerns about their complexity. Process evaluations of their health system context and guidance for their design and interpretation are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor A. Ochodo
- Centre for Evidence-based Health Care, Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, Western Cape, 8000, South Africa
| | - Selvan Naidoo
- Centre for Evidence-based Health Care, Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, Western Cape, 8000, South Africa
| | - Samuel Schumacher
- Tuberculosis department, Campus Biotech, Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics, Geneva, 1202, Switzerland
| | - Karen Steingart
- Clinical sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, L3 5QA UK, UK
| | - Jon Deeks
- NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust and University of Birmingham; and Test Evaluation Research Group, Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Frank Cobelens
- Department of Global Health and Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, 1105 BP, The Netherlands
| | - Patrick M. Bossuyt
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, The Netherlands
| | - Taryn Young
- Centre for Evidence-based Health Care, Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, Western Cape, 8000, South Africa
| | - Mark P. Nicol
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
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Akinyode AO, Ajayi IO, Ibrahim MS, Akinyemi JO, Ajumobi OO. Practice of antimalarial prescription to patients with negative rapid test results and associated factors among health workers in Oyo State, Nigeria. Pan Afr Med J 2018; 30:229. [PMID: 30574247 PMCID: PMC6296678 DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2018.30.229.13231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2017] [Accepted: 05/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Contrary to World Health Organizations recommendations, health workers (HWs) still prescribe antimalarials to malaria rapid diagnostic test (mRDT)-negative patients, thus increasing overuse and the risk of parasite resistance to the antimalarials. The reasons for this are not clear. We identified factors associated with antimalarial prescription to mRDT-negative patients. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study among 423 HWs. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, training, supervision experience and fever management practices were collected. We tested associations between independent variables and prescription of antimalarials to mRDT-negative patients using Chi square and logistic regression at p < 0.05. Results The HWs were mostly community health workers (58.6%), with mean age of 41.0 (±8.8) years and 13.6 (± 9.0) years of professional practice. Females were 322 (76.1%) and 368 (87%) were married. Of the 423 HWs interviewed, 329 (77.8%) received training on mRDT use, 329 (80.6%) received supervision and 129 (30.5%) had good knowledge of causes of fever. Overall, 110 (26.0%) of the HWs prescribed antimalarials to mRDT-negative patients. A higher proportion of non-trained vs trained HWs [Adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) = 4.9; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) (2.5-8.3)], and HWs having poor knowledge vs HWs having good knowledge of causes of fever [aOR = 1.9; 95% CI (1.0-3.5)], prescribed antimalarials to mRDT-negative patients. Conclusion HWs' lack of training on mRDT use and poor knowledge of causes of fever were associated with prescription of antimalarials to mRDT-negative patients. We recommend training on management of fever and mRDT use to reduce such inappropriate antimalarial prescriptions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akinfemi Oyewumi Akinyode
- Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Program, Abuja, Nigeria.,Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - IkeOluwapo Oyeneye Ajayi
- Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Program, Abuja, Nigeria.,Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Muhammed Sani Ibrahim
- Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Program, Abuja, Nigeria.,Department of Community Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
| | - Joshua Odunayo Akinyemi
- Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Program, Abuja, Nigeria.,Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Olufemi Olamide Ajumobi
- Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Program, Abuja, Nigeria.,National Malaria Elimination Programme, Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja.,Nigeria, Africa Field Epidemiology Network, Abuja, Nigeria
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Soremekun S, Kasteng F, Lingam R, Vassall A, Kertho E, Settumba S, Etou PL, Nanyonjo A, ten Asbroek G, Kallander K, Kirkwood B. Variation in the quality and out-of-pocket cost of treatment for childhood malaria, diarrhoea, and pneumonia: Community and facility based care in rural Uganda. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0200543. [PMID: 30475808 PMCID: PMC6261061 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Accepted: 06/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A key barrier to appropriate treatment for malaria, diarrhoea, and pneumonia (MDP) in children under 5 years of age in low income rural settings is the lack of access to quality health care. The WHO and UNICEF have therefore called for the scale-up of integrated community case management (iCCM) using community health workers (CHWs). The current study assessed access to treatment, out-of-pocket expenditure and the quality of treatment provided in the public and private sectors compared to national guidelines, using data collected in a large representative survey of caregivers of children in 205 villages with iCCM-trained CHWs in mid-Western Uganda. RESULTS The prevalence of suspected malaria, diarrhoea and suspected pneumonia in the preceding two weeks in 6501 children in the study sample were 45%, 11% and 24% respectively. Twenty percent of children were first taken to a CHW, 56% to a health facility, 14% to other providers and no care was sought for 11%. The CHW was more likely to provide appropriate treatment compared to any other provider or to those not seeking care for children with MDP (RR 1.51, 95% CI 1.42-1.61, p<0.001). Seeking care from a CHW had the lowest cost outlay (median $0.00, IQR $0.00-$1.80), whilst seeking care to a private doctor or clinic the highest (median $2.80, IQR $1.20-$6.00). We modelled the expected increase in overall treatment coverage if children currently treated in the private sector or not seeking care were taken to the CHW instead. In this scenario, coverage of appropriate treatment for MDP could increase in total from the current rate of 47% up to 64%. CONCLUSION Scale-up of iCCM-trained CHW programmes is key to the provision of affordable, high quality treatment for sick children, and can thus significantly contribute to closing the gap in coverage of appropriate treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyi Soremekun
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London United Kingdom
| | - Frida Kasteng
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London United Kingdom
- Division of Global Health, Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Raghu Lingam
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London United Kingdom
- Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Vassall
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London United Kingdom
| | | | - Stella Settumba
- The Malaria Consortium, Kampala, Uganda
- National Perinatal Epidemiology and Statistics Unit, University of New South Wales, Sidney, Australia
| | - Patrick L. Etou
- Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle, United Kingdom
| | - Agnes Nanyonjo
- The Malaria Consortium, Kampala, Uganda
- African Population Health Research Centre, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Guus ten Asbroek
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London United Kingdom
- Department of Global Health, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Karin Kallander
- Division of Global Health, Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- The Malaria Consortium, London, United Kingdom
| | - Betty Kirkwood
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London United Kingdom
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Kitutu FE, Wamani H, Selling KE, Katabazi FA, Kuteesa RB, Peterson S, Kalyango JN, Mårtensson A. Can malaria rapid diagnostic tests by drug sellers under field conditions classify children 5 years old or less with or without Plasmodium falciparum malaria? Comparison with nested PCR analysis. Malar J 2018; 17:365. [PMID: 30326926 PMCID: PMC6192306 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-018-2508-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Accepted: 10/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) available as dipsticks or strips, are simple to perform, easily interpretable and do not require electricity nor infrastructural investment. Correct interpretation of and compliance with the RDT results is a challenge to drug sellers. Thus, drug seller interpretation of RDT strips was compared with laboratory scientist re-reading, and PCR analysis of Plasmodium DNA extracted from RDT nitrocellulose strips and fast transient analysis (FTA) cards. Malaria RDT cassettes were also assessed as a potential source of Plasmodium DNA. Methods A total of 212 children aged between 2 and 60 months, 199 of whom had complete records at two study drug shops in south western Uganda participated in the study. Duplicate 5 μL samples of capillary blood were picked from the 212 children, dispensed onto the sample well of the CareStart™ Pf-HRP2 RDT cassette and a FTA, Whatman™ 3MM filter paper in parallel. The RDT strip was interpreted by the drug seller within 15–20 min, visually re-read centrally by laboratory scientist and from it; Plasmodium DNA was recovered and detected by PCR, and compared with FTA recovered P. falciparum DNA PCR detection. Results Malaria positive samples were 62/199 (31.2%, 95% CI 24.9, 38.3) by drug seller interpretation of RDT strip, 59/212 (27.8%, 95% CI 22.2, 34.3) by laboratory scientist, 55/212 (25.9%, 95% CI 20.0, 32.6) by RDT nitrocellulose strip PCR and 64/212 (30.2%, 95% CI 24.4, 37.7). The overall agreement between the drug seller interpretation and laboratory scientist re-reading of the RDT strip was 93.0% with kappa value of 0.84 (95% CI 0.75, 0.92). The drug seller compliance with the reported RDT results was 92.5%. The performance of the three diagnostic strategies compared with FTA-PCR as the gold standard had sensitivity between 76.6 and 86.9%, specificity above 90%, positive predictive values ranging from 79.0 to 89.8% and negative predictive values above 90%. Conclusion Drug sellers can use RDTs in field conditions and achieve acceptable accuracy for malaria diagnosis, and they comply with the RDT results. Plasmodium DNA can be recovered from RDT nitrocellulose strips even in the context of drug shops. Future malaria surveillance and diagnostic quality control studies with RDT cassette as a source of Plasmodium DNA are recommended. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12936-018-2508-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Freddy Eric Kitutu
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, International Maternal and Child Health (IMCH), Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. .,Pharmacy Department, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda.
| | - Henry Wamani
- School of Public Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Katarina Ekholm Selling
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, International Maternal and Child Health (IMCH), Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Fred Ashaba Katabazi
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Ronald Bisaso Kuteesa
- Infectious Disease Institute, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Stefan Peterson
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, International Maternal and Child Health (IMCH), Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.,School of Public Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda.,UNICEF, Health Section, 3 UN Plaza, New York, NY, 10017, USA
| | - Joan Nakayaga Kalyango
- Pharmacy Department, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda.,Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Andreas Mårtensson
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, International Maternal and Child Health (IMCH), Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Osorio L, Garcia JA, Parra LG, Garcia V, Torres L, Degroote S, Ridde V. A scoping review on the field validation and implementation of rapid diagnostic tests for vector-borne and other infectious diseases of poverty in urban areas. Infect Dis Poverty 2018; 7:87. [PMID: 30173662 PMCID: PMC6120097 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-018-0474-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health personnel face challenges in diagnosing vector-borne and other diseases of poverty in urban settings. There is a need to know what rapid diagnostic technologies are available, have been properly assessed, and are being implemented to improve control of these diseases in the urban context. This paper characterizes evidence on the field validation and implementation in urban areas of rapid diagnostics for vector-borne diseases and other diseases of poverty. MAIN BODY A scoping review was conducted. Peer-reviewed and grey literature were searched using terms describing the targeted infectious diseases, diagnostics evaluations, rapid tests, and urban setting. The review was limited to studies published between 2000 and 2016 in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were refined post hoc to identify relevant literature regardless of study design and geography. A total of 179 documents of the 7806 initially screened were included in the analysis. Malaria (n = 100) and tuberculosis (n = 47) accounted for the majority of studies that reported diagnostics performance, impact, and implementation outcomes. Fewer studies, assessing mainly performance, were identified for visceral leishmaniasis (n = 9), filariasis and leptospirosis (each n = 5), enteric fever and schistosomiasis (each n = 3), dengue and leprosy (each n = 2), and Chagas disease, human African trypanosomiasis, and cholera (each n = 1). Reported sensitivity of rapid tests was variable depending on several factors. Overall, specificities were high (> 80%), except for schistosomiasis and cholera. Impact and implementation outcomes, mainly acceptability and cost, followed by adoption, feasibility, and sustainability of rapid tests are being evaluated in the field. Challenges to implementing rapid tests range from cultural to technical and administrative issues. CONCLUSIONS Rapid diagnostic tests for vector-borne and other diseases of poverty are being used in the urban context with demonstrated impact on case detection. However, most evidence comes from malaria rapid diagnostics, with variable results. While rapid tests for tuberculosis and visceral leishmaniasis require further implementation studies, more evidence on performance of current tests or development of new alternatives is needed for dengue, Chagas disease, filariasis, leptospirosis, enteric fever, human African trypanosomiasis, schistosomiasis and cholera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyda Osorio
- Epidemiology and Population Health Research Group, School of Public Health, Universidad del Valle, Calle 4B No. 36-00 Edif 118 Escuela de Salud Pública, Universidad del Valle Campus San Fernando, Cali, Colombia
| | - Jonny Alejandro Garcia
- Epidemiology and Population Health Research Group, School of Public Health, Universidad del Valle, Calle 4B No. 36-00 Edif 118 Escuela de Salud Pública, Universidad del Valle Campus San Fernando, Cali, Colombia
- School of Medicine, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia
| | - Luis Gabriel Parra
- Epidemiology and Population Health Research Group, School of Public Health, Universidad del Valle, Calle 4B No. 36-00 Edif 118 Escuela de Salud Pública, Universidad del Valle Campus San Fernando, Cali, Colombia
- School of Medicine, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia
| | - Victor Garcia
- Epidemiology and Population Health Research Group, School of Public Health, Universidad del Valle, Calle 4B No. 36-00 Edif 118 Escuela de Salud Pública, Universidad del Valle Campus San Fernando, Cali, Colombia
| | - Laura Torres
- Epidemiology and Population Health Research Group, School of Public Health, Universidad del Valle, Calle 4B No. 36-00 Edif 118 Escuela de Salud Pública, Universidad del Valle Campus San Fernando, Cali, Colombia
| | - Stéphanie Degroote
- University of Montreal Public Health Research Institute (IRSPUM), Montreal, Canada
| | - Valéry Ridde
- University of Montreal Public Health Research Institute (IRSPUM), Montreal, Canada
- French Institute for Research on Sustainable Development (IRD), Paris Descartes University, Population and Development Center (CEPED), Université Paris Sorbonne Cité, National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM), Health, Vulnerabilities and Gender Relations South (SAGESUD), Paris, France
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30
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Cohen J, Saran I. The impact of packaging and messaging on adherence to malaria treatment: Evidence from a randomized controlled trial in Uganda. JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS 2018; 134:68-95. [PMID: 30177864 PMCID: PMC6088513 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2018.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Revised: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Despite substantial public and private costs of non-adherence to infectious disease treatments, patients often do not finish their medication. We explore adherence to medication for malaria, a major cause of morbidity and health system costs in Africa. We conducted a randomized trial in Uganda testing specialized packaging and messaging, designed to increase antimalarial adherence. We find that stickers with short, targeted messages on the packaging increase adherence by 9% and reduce untaken pills by 29%. However, the currently used method of boosting adherence through costly, specialized packaging with pictorial instructions had no significant impacts relative to the standard control package. We develop a theoretical framework of the adherence decision, highlighting the role of symptoms, beliefs about being cured, and beliefs about drug effectiveness to help interpret our results. Patients whose symptoms resolve sooner are substantially less likely to adhere, and the sticker interventions have the strongest impact among these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Cohen
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and J-PAL, Building 1, Room 1209, 665 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Indrani Saran
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Building 1, 665 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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31
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Gallay J, Mosha D, Lutahakana E, Mazuguni F, Zuakulu M, Decosterd LA, Genton B, Pothin E. Appropriateness of malaria diagnosis and treatment for fever episodes according to patient history and anti-malarial blood measurement: a cross-sectional survey from Tanzania. Malar J 2018; 17:209. [PMID: 29784001 PMCID: PMC5963060 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-018-2357-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2017] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Monitoring the impact of case management strategies at large scale is essential to evaluate the public health benefit they confer. The use of methodologies relying on objective and standardized endpoints, such as drug levels in the blood, should be encouraged. Population drug use, diagnosis and treatment appropriateness in case of fever according to patient history and anti-malarials blood concentration was evaluated. Methods A cross-sectional survey took place between May and August 2015 in three regions of Tanzania with different levels of malaria endemicity. Interviews were conducted and blood samples were collected by dried blood spots through household surveys for further anti-malarial measurements. Appropriate testing when individuals attended care was defined as a patient with history of fever being tested for malaria and appropriate treatment as (i) having anti-malarial in the blood if the test result was positive (ii) having anti-malarial in the blood if the person was not tested, and (iii) no anti-malarial in the blood when the test result was negative. Results Amongst 6391 participants included in the anti-malarial analysis, 20.8% (1330/6391) had anti-malarial drug detected in the blood. Only 28.0% (372/1330) of the individuals with anti-malarials in their blood reported the use of anti-malarials within the previous month. Amongst all participants, 16.0% (1021/6391) reported having had a fever in the previous 2 weeks and 37.5% of them (383/1021) had detectable levels of anti-malarials in the blood. Of the individuals who sought care in health facilities, 69.4% (172/248) were tested and 52.0% (129/248) appropriately treated. When other providers were sought, 6% (23/382) of the persons were appropriately tested and 44.2% (169/382) appropriately treated. Overall, the proportion of individuals treated was larger than that being tested [47.3% (298/630) treated, 31.0% (195/630) tested]. Conclusion This study showed high prevalence of circulating anti-malarial drug in the sampled population. Efforts should be made to increase rapid diagnostic tests use at all levels of health care and improve compliance to test result in order to target febrile patients that are sick with malaria and reduce drug pressure. Objective drug measurements collected at community level represent a reliable tool to evaluate overall impact of case management strategies on population drug pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Gallay
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box 4002, Basel, Switzerland. .,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland. .,Service and Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Blaise Genton
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box 4002, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Division of Infectious Diseases and Department of Community Health, University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Emilie Pothin
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box 4002, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Riley C, Dellicour S, Ouma P, Kioko U, Omar A, Kariuki S, Ng'ang'a Z, Desai M, Buff AM, Gutman JR. Knowledge and Adherence to the National Guidelines for Malaria Diagnosis in Pregnancy among Health-Care Providers and Drug-Outlet Dispensers in Rural Western Kenya. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2018; 98:1367-1373. [PMID: 29512480 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.17-0594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Prompt diagnosis and effective treatment of acute malaria in pregnancy (MiP) is important for the mother and fetus; data on health-care provider adherence to diagnostic guidelines in pregnancy are limited. From September to November 2013, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in 51 health facilities and 39 drug outlets in Western Kenya. Provider knowledge of national diagnostic guidelines for uncomplicated MiP were assessed using standardized questionnaires. The use of parasitologic testing was assessed in health facilities via exit interviews with febrile women of childbearing age and in drug outlets via simulated-client scenarios, posing as pregnant women or their spouses. Overall, 93% of providers tested for malaria or accurately described signs and symptoms consistent with clinical malaria. Malaria was parasitologically confirmed in 77% of all patients presenting with febrile illness at health facilities and 5% of simulated clients at drug outlets. Parasitological testing was available in 80% of health facilities; 92% of patients evaluated at these facilities were tested. Only 23% of drug outlets had malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs); at these outlets, RDTs were offered in 17% of client simulations. No differences were observed in testing rates by pregnancy trimester. The study highlights gaps among health providers in diagnostic knowledge and practice related to MiP, and the lack of malaria diagnostic capacity, particularly in drug outlets. The most important factor associated with malaria testing of pregnant women was the availability of diagnostics at the point of service. Interventions that increase the availability of malaria diagnostic services might improve malaria case management in pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Riley
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | - Peter Ouma
- KEMRI, Centre for Global Health Research, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Urbanus Kioko
- Malaria Control Unit, Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Ahmeddin Omar
- Malaria Control Unit, Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Simon Kariuki
- KEMRI, Centre for Global Health Research, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Zipporah Ng'ang'a
- College of Health Sciences, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Meghna Desai
- Malaria Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Center for Global Health, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia and Kenya
| | - Ann M Buff
- U.S. President's Malaria Initiative, Nairobi, Kenya.,Malaria Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Center for Global Health, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia and Kenya
| | - Julie R Gutman
- Malaria Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Center for Global Health, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia and Kenya
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Hansen KS, Clarke SE, Lal S, Magnussen P, Mbonye AK. Cost-effectiveness analysis of introducing malaria diagnostic testing in drug shops: A cluster-randomised trial in Uganda. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0189758. [PMID: 29244829 PMCID: PMC5731679 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0189758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2016] [Accepted: 12/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Private sector drug shops are an important source of malaria treatment in Africa, yet diagnosis without parasitological testing is common among these providers. Accurate rapid diagnostic tests for malaria (mRDTs) require limited training and present an opportunity to increase access to correct diagnosis. The present study was a cost-effectiveness analysis of the introduction of mRDTs in Ugandan drug shops. METHODS Drug shop vendors were trained to perform and sell subsidised mRDTs and artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) in the intervention arm while vendors offered ACTs following presumptive diagnosis of malaria in the control arm. The effect on the proportion of customers with fever 'appropriately treated of malaria with ACT' was captured during a randomised trial in drug shops in Mukono District, Uganda. Health sector costs included: training of drug shop vendors, community sensitisation, supervision and provision of mRDTs and ACTs to drug shops. Household costs of treatment-seeking were captured in a representative sample of drug shop customers. FINDINGS The introduction of mRDTs in drug shops was associated with a large improvement of diagnosis and treatment of malaria, resulting in low incremental costs for the health sector at US$0.55 per patient appropriately treated of malaria. High expenditure on non-ACT drugs by households contributed to higher incremental societal costs of US$3.83. Sensitivity analysis showed that mRDTs would become less cost-effective compared to presumptive diagnosis with increasing malaria prevalence and lower adherence to negative mRDT results. CONCLUSION mRDTs in drug shops improved the targeting of ACTs to malaria patients and are likely to be considered cost-effective compared to presumptive diagnosis, although the increased costs borne by households when the test result is negative are a concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristian Schultz Hansen
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Public Health, Section for Health Services Research, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Siân E. Clarke
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sham Lal
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Pascal Magnussen
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anthony K. Mbonye
- Directorate of Clinical and Community Services, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
- School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
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34
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Liow E, Kassam R, Sekiwunga R. Investigating unlicensed retail drug vendors' preparedness and knowledge about malaria: An exploratory study in rural Uganda. Acta Trop 2017; 174:9-18. [PMID: 28606818 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2017] [Revised: 06/07/2017] [Accepted: 06/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite major efforts to increase the uptake of preventive measures and timely use of the first line antimalarial treatment artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACT), Uganda continues to fall short of meeting its national malaria control targets. One of the challenges has been scaling up effective measures in rural and remote areas where the unlicensed private retail sector remains the first point of contact and a common source of treatment. The current paper discusses unlicensed vendors' (1) training related to malaria case management for children aged five and under, and (2) knowledge related to the cause of malaria, preventive measures, common signs, and symptoms, diagnostic procedures, and best treatment options. METHODS A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was conducted in the rural district of Butaleja, Uganda in 2011. All 88 unlicensed drug outlets enumerated in the study area were visited by six locally recruited research assistants, with one vendor from each outlet invited to participate. The transcripts were analyzed using acceptable qualitative research protocols. RESULTS About half of the 75 vendors interviewed had received some sort of formal training on malaria at a post-secondary institution, although only 6.7% had qualifications which met licensure requirements. The study found widespread misconceptions relating to the cause, as well as prevention and treatment of malaria. A large majority of the vendors relied primarily on non-specific symptoms and limited physical exams for diagnoses, with less than one-tenth of the vendors recognizing that rapid or microscopic blood testing was necessary to confirm a clinical diagnosis of malaria. While most recognized mosquitoes as the primary vector for malaria, over two-fifths of the vendors held misconceptions about the factors that could increase the risk of malaria, and nearly a third believed that malaria could not be prevented. With respect to acute case management, three-quarters viewed as the best option a medicine other than the government's first-line antimalarial, artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACT). Almost three-fifths specified quinine as their preferred option, with about one-fifth recommending quinine injection. CONCLUSION Findings from this study confirm significant gaps in unlicensed vendors' knowledge related to malaria. With increased utilization of unlicensed drug outlets in rural and remote settings such as Butaleja, findings from this study strongly supports the need to implement strategies to improve the quality of care delivered at these outlet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Liow
- School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 2206 East Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada.
| | - Rosemin Kassam
- School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 2206 East Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada.
| | - Richard Sekiwunga
- Child Health and Development Centre, School of Medicine, Makerere University, Kampala, P.O. Box 6717, Uganda.
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Ladner J, Davis B, Audureau E, Saba J. Treatment-seeking patterns for malaria in pharmacies in five sub-Saharan African countries. Malar J 2017; 16:353. [PMID: 28851358 PMCID: PMC5574241 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-017-1997-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2017] [Accepted: 08/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) is recommended as the first-line anti-malarial treatment strategy in sub-Saharan African countries. WHO policy recommends parasitological confirmation by microscopy or rapid diagnostic test (RDT) in all cases of suspected malaria prior to treatment. Gaps remain in understanding the factors that influence patient treatment-seeking behaviour and anti-malarial drug purchase decisions in the private sector. The objective of this study was to identify patient treatment-seeking behaviour in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda. Methods Face-to-face patient interviews were conducted at a total of 208 randomly selected retail outlets in five countries. At each outlet, exit interviews were conducted with five patients who indicated they had come seeking anti-malarial treatment. The questionnaire was anonymous and standardized in the five countries and collected data on different factors, including socio-demographic characteristics, history of illness, diagnostic practices (i.e. microscopy or RDT), prescription practices and treatment purchase. The price paid for the treatment was also collected from the outlet vendor. Results A total of 994 patients were included from the five countries. Location of malaria diagnosis was significantly different in the five countries. A total of 484 blood diagnostic tests were performed, (72.3% with microscopy and 27.7% with RDT). ACTs were purchased by 72.5% of patients who had undergone blood testing and 86.5% of patients without a blood test, regardless of whether the test result was positive or negative (p < 10−4). A total of 531 patients (53.4%) had an anti-malarial drug prescription, of which 82.9% were prescriptions for an ACT. There were significant differences in prescriptions by country. A total of 923 patients (92.9%) purchased anti-malarial drugs in an outlet, including 79.1% of patients purchasing an ACT drug: 98.0% in Ghana, 90.5% in Kenya, 80.4% in Nigeria, 69.2% in Tanzania, and 57.7% in Uganda (p < 10−4). Having a drug prescription was not a significant predictive factor associated with an ACT drug purchase (except in Kenya). The number of ACT drugs purchased with a prescription was greater than the number purchased without a prescription in Kenya, Nigeria and Tanzania. Conclusions This study highlights differences in drug prescription and purchase patterns in five sub-Saharan African countries. The private sector is playing an increasingly important role in fever case management in sub-Saharan Africa. Understanding the characteristics of private retail outlets and the role they play in providing anti-malaria drugs may support the design of effective malaria interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joël Ladner
- Rouen University Hospital, Epidemiology and Health Promotion Department, Hôpital Charles Nicolle, 1 Rue de Germont, 76 031, Rouen Cedex, France.
| | | | - Etienne Audureau
- Paris Est University Hôpital, Henri Mondor Hospital, Public Health, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Créteil, France
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36
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Saran I, Maffioli EM, Menya D, O'Meara WP. Household beliefs about malaria testing and treatment in Western Kenya: the role of health worker adherence to malaria test results. Malar J 2017; 16:349. [PMID: 28830439 PMCID: PMC5568326 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-017-1993-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2017] [Accepted: 08/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although use of malaria diagnostic tests has increased in recent years, health workers often prescribe anti-malarial drugs to individuals who test negative for malaria. This study investigates how health worker adherence to malaria case management guidelines influences individuals’ beliefs about whether their illness was malaria, and their confidence in the effectiveness of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT). Methods A survey was conducted with 2065 households in Western Kenya about a household member’s treatment actions for a recent febrile illness. The survey also elicited the individual’s (or their caregiver’s) beliefs about the illness and about malaria testing and treatment. Logistic regressions were used to test the association between these beliefs and whether the health worker adhered to malaria testing and treatment guidelines. Results Of the 1070 individuals who visited a formal health facility during their illness, 82% were tested for malaria. ACT rates for malaria-positive and negative individuals were 89 and 49%, respectively. Overall, 65% of individuals/caregivers believed that the illness was “very likely” malaria. Individuals/caregivers had higher odds of saying that the illness was “very likely” malaria when the individual was treated with ACT, and this was the case both among individuals not tested for malaria [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 3.42, 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.65 7.10], P = 0.001] and among individuals tested for malaria, regardless of their test result. In addition, 72% of ACT-takers said the drug was “very likely” effective in treating malaria. However, malaria-negative individuals who were treated with ACT had lower odds of saying that the drugs were “very likely” effective than ACT-takers who were not tested or who tested positive for malaria (AOR 0.29, 95% CI [0.13 0.63], P = 0.002). Conclusion Individuals/caregivers were more likely to believe that the illness was malaria when the patient was treated with ACT, regardless of their test result. Moreover, malaria-negative individuals treated with ACT had lower confidence in the drug than other individuals who took ACT. These results suggest that ensuring health worker adherence to malaria case management guidelines will not only improve ACT targeting, but may also increase patient/caregivers’ confidence in malaria testing and treatment. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12936-017-1993-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indrani Saran
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, 310 Trent Drive, Durham, NC, 27701, USA.
| | | | - Diana Menya
- School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Wendy Prudhomme O'Meara
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, 310 Trent Drive, Durham, NC, 27701, USA.,School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya.,Duke University Medical Center, Duke University, Durham, USA
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Bruxvoort KJ, Leurent B, Chandler CIR, Ansah EK, Baiden F, Björkman A, Burchett HED, Clarke SE, Cundill B, DiLiberto DD, Elfving K, Goodman C, Hansen KS, Kachur SP, Lal S, Lalloo DG, Leslie T, Magnussen P, Mangham-Jefferies L, Mårtensson A, Mayan I, Mbonye AK, Msellem MI, Onwujekwe OE, Owusu-Agyei S, Rowland MW, Shakely D, Staedke SG, Vestergaard LS, Webster J, Whitty CJM, Wiseman VL, Yeung S, Schellenberg D, Hopkins H. The Impact of Introducing Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Tests on Fever Case Management: A Synthesis of Ten Studies from the ACT Consortium. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2017; 97:1170-1179. [PMID: 28820705 PMCID: PMC5637593 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.16-0955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Since 2010, the World Health Organization has been recommending that all suspected cases of malaria be confirmed with parasite-based diagnosis before treatment. These guidelines represent a paradigm shift away from presumptive antimalarial treatment of fever. Malaria rapid diagnostic tests (mRDTs) are central to implementing this policy, intended to target artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACT) to patients with confirmed malaria and to improve management of patients with nonmalarial fevers. The ACT Consortium conducted ten linked studies, eight in sub-Saharan Africa and two in Afghanistan, to evaluate the impact of mRDT introduction on case management across settings that vary in malaria endemicity and healthcare provider type. This synthesis includes 562,368 outpatient encounters (study size range 2,400-432,513). mRDTs were associated with significantly lower ACT prescription (range 8-69% versus 20-100%). Prescribing did not always adhere to malaria test results; in several settings, ACTs were prescribed to more than 30% of test-negative patients or to fewer than 80% of test-positive patients. Either an antimalarial or an antibiotic was prescribed for more than 75% of patients across most settings; lower antimalarial prescription for malaria test-negative patients was partly offset by higher antibiotic prescription. Symptomatic management with antipyretics alone was prescribed for fewer than 25% of patients across all scenarios. In community health worker and private retailer settings, mRDTs increased referral of patients to other providers. This synthesis provides an overview of shifts in case management that may be expected with mRDT introduction and highlights areas of focus to improve design and implementation of future case management programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katia J Bruxvoort
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Baptiste Leurent
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Siân E Clarke
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bonnie Cundill
- Leeds Institute of Clinical Trials Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Catherine Goodman
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kristian S Hansen
- University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Sham Lal
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - David G Lalloo
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Toby Leslie
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Pascal Magnussen
- Department for Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Centre for Medical Parasitology, University of Copenhagen and Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | - Ismail Mayan
- Health Protection Research Organisation, Kabul, Afghanistan
| | - Anthony K Mbonye
- Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda.,Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Obinna E Onwujekwe
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Nigeria, Enugu, Nigeria
| | | | - Mark W Rowland
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Delér Shakely
- Centre for Malaria Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Health Metrics at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Sarah G Staedke
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lasse S Vestergaard
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Prevention, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Centre for Medical Parasitology, University of Copenhagen and Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jayne Webster
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Virginia L Wiseman
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.,London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Shunmay Yeung
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Heidi Hopkins
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Bennett A, Avanceña ALV, Wegbreit J, Cotter C, Roberts K, Gosling R. Engaging the private sector in malaria surveillance: a review of strategies and recommendations for elimination settings. Malar J 2017; 16:252. [PMID: 28615026 PMCID: PMC5471855 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-017-1901-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In malaria elimination settings, all malaria cases must be identified, documented and investigated. To facilitate complete and timely reporting of all malaria cases and effective case management and follow-up, engagement with private providers is essential, particularly in settings where the private sector is a major source of healthcare. However, research on the role and performance of the private sector in malaria diagnosis, case management and reporting in malaria elimination settings is limited. Moreover, the most effective strategies for private sector engagement in malaria elimination settings remain unclear. METHODS Twenty-five experts in malaria elimination, disease surveillance and private sector engagement were purposively sampled and interviewed. An extensive review of grey and peer-reviewed literature on private sector testing, treatment, and reporting for malaria was performed. Additional in-depth literature review was conducted for six case studies on eliminating and neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia and Southern Africa. RESULTS The private health sector can be categorized based on their commercial orientation or business model (for-profit versus nonprofit) and their regulation status within a country (formal vs informal). A number of potentially effective strategies exist for engaging the private sector. Conducting a baseline assessment of the private sector is critical to understanding its composition, size, geographical distribution and quality of services provided. Facilitating reporting, referral and training linkages between the public and private sectors and making malaria a notifiable disease are important strategies to improve private sector involvement in malaria surveillance. Financial incentives for uptake of rapid diagnostic tests and artemisinin-based combination therapy should be combined with training and community awareness campaigns for improving uptake. Private sector providers can also be organized and better engaged through social franchising, effective regulation, professional organizations and government outreach. CONCLUSION This review highlights the importance of engaging private sector stakeholders early and often in the development of malaria elimination strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Bennett
- Malaria Elimination Initiative, UCSF Global Health Group, 550 16th Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, 550 16th Street, 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - Anton L. V. Avanceña
- Malaria Elimination Initiative, UCSF Global Health Group, 550 16th Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - Jennifer Wegbreit
- Malaria Elimination Initiative, UCSF Global Health Group, 550 16th Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - Chris Cotter
- Malaria Elimination Initiative, UCSF Global Health Group, 550 16th Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - Kathryn Roberts
- Malaria Elimination Initiative, UCSF Global Health Group, 550 16th Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - Roly Gosling
- Malaria Elimination Initiative, UCSF Global Health Group, 550 16th Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, 550 16th Street, 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
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Hansen KS, Ndyomugyenyi R, Magnussen P, Lal S, Clarke SE. Cost-effectiveness analysis of malaria rapid diagnostic tests for appropriate treatment of malaria at the community level in Uganda. Health Policy Plan 2017; 32:676-689. [PMID: 28453718 PMCID: PMC5406761 DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czw171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In Sub-Saharan Africa, malaria remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality among children under 5, due to lack of access to prompt and appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Many countries have scaled-up community health workers (CHWs) as a strategy towards improving access. The present study was a cost-effectiveness analysis of the introduction of malaria rapid diagnostic tests (mRDTs) performed by CHWs in two areas of moderate-to-high and low malaria transmission in rural Uganda. CHWs were trained to perform mRDTs and treat children with artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) in the intervention arm while CHWs offered treatment based on presumptive diagnosis in the control arm. Data on the proportion of children with fever 'appropriately treated for malaria with ACT' were captured from a randomised trial. Health sector costs included: training of CHWs, community sensitisation, supervision, allowances for CHWs and provision of mRDTs and ACTs. The opportunity costs of time utilised by CHWs were estimated based on self-reporting. Household costs of subsequent treatment-seeking at public health centres and private health providers were captured in a sample of households. mRDTs performed by CHWs was associated with large improvements in appropriate treatment of malaria in both transmission settings. This resulted in low incremental costs for the health sector at US$3.0 per appropriately treated child in the moderate-to-high transmission area. Higher incremental costs at US$13.3 were found in the low transmission area due to lower utilisation of CHW services and higher programme costs. Incremental costs from a societal perspective were marginally higher. The use of mRDTs by CHWs improved the targeting of ACTs to children with malaria and was likely to be considered a cost-effective intervention compared to a presumptive diagnosis in the moderate-to-high transmission area. In contrast to this, in the low transmission area with low attendance, RDT use by CHWs was not a low cost intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristian S Hansen
- Department of Public Health, Section for Health Services Research, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK
| | | | - Pascal Magnussen
- Centre for Medical Parasitology and Microbiology & Institute of Veterinary Disease Biology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sham Lal
- Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK
| | - Siân E Clarke
- Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK
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Kaula H, Buyungo P, Opigo J. Private sector role, readiness and performance for malaria case management in Uganda, 2015. Malar J 2017; 16:219. [PMID: 28545583 PMCID: PMC5445348 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-017-1824-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Several interventions have been put in place to promote access to quality malaria case management services in Uganda’s private sector, where most people seek treatment. This paper describes evidence using a mixed-method approach to examine the role, readiness and performance of private providers at a national level in Uganda. These data will be useful to inform strategies and policies for improving malaria case management in the private sector. Methods The ACTwatch national anti-malarial outlet survey was conducted concurrently with a fever case management study. The ACTwatch nationally representative anti-malarial outlet survey was conducted in Uganda between May 18th 2015 and July 2nd 2015. A representative sample of sub-counties was selected in 14 urban and 13 rural clusters with probability proportional to size and a census approach was used to identify outlets. Outlets eligible for the survey met at least one of three criteria: (1) one or more anti-malarials were in stock on the day of the survey; (2) one or more anti-malarials were in stock in the 3 months preceding the survey; and/or (3) malaria blood testing (microscopy or RDT) was available. The fever case management study included observations of provider-patient interactions and patient exit interviews. Data were collected between May 20th and August 3rd, 2015. The fever case management study was implemented in the private sector. Potential outlets were identified during the main outlet survey and included in this sub-sample if they had both artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) [artemether–lumefantrine (AL)], in stock on the day of survey as well as diagnostic testing available. Results A total of 9438 outlets were screened for eligibility in the ACTwatch outlet survey and 4328 outlets were found to be stocking anti-malarials and were interviewed. A total of 9330 patients were screened for the fever case management study and 1273 had a complete patient observation and exit interview. Results from the outlet survey illustrate that the majority of anti-malarials were distributed through the private sector (54.3%), with 31.4% of all anti-malarials distributed through drug stores and 14.4% through private for-profit health facilities. Availability of different anti-malarials and diagnostic testing in the private sector was: ACT (80.7%), quality-assured (QA) ACT (72.0%), sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine (SP) (47.1%), quinine (73.2%) and any malaria blood testing (32.9%). Adult QAACT ($1.62) was three times more expensive than SP ($0.48). The results from the fever case management study found 44.4% of respondents received a malaria test, and among those who tested positive for malaria, 60.0% received an ACT, 48.5% received QAACT; 14.4% a non-artemisinin therapy; 14.9% artemether injection, and 42.5% received an antibiotic. Conclusion The private sector plays an important role in malaria case management in Uganda. While several private sector initiatives have improved availability of QAACT, there are gaps in malaria diagnosis and distribution of non-artemisinin monotherapies persists. Further private sector strategies, including those focusing on drug stores, are needed to increase coverage of parasitological testing and removal of non-artemisinin therapies from the marketplace. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12936-017-1824-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Henry Kaula
- Programme for Accessible Communication and Education (PACE) Uganda, Plot # 2, Ibis Vale, Kololo-off Prince Charles Drive, Kampala, Uganda.
| | - Peter Buyungo
- Programme for Accessible Communication and Education (PACE) Uganda, Plot # 2, Ibis Vale, Kololo-off Prince Charles Drive, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Jimmy Opigo
- National Malaria Control Programme, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
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Boyce MR, O'Meara WP. Use of malaria RDTs in various health contexts across sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review. BMC Public Health 2017; 17:470. [PMID: 28521798 PMCID: PMC5437623 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-017-4398-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2016] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The World Health Organization recommends parasitological confirmation of malaria prior to treatment. Malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) represent one diagnostic method that is used in a variety of contexts to overcome limitations of other diagnostic techniques. Malaria RDTs increase the availability and feasibility of accurate diagnosis and may result in improved quality of care. Though RDTs are used in a variety of contexts, no studies have compared how well or effectively RDTs are used across these contexts. This review assesses the diagnostic use of RDTs in four different contexts: health facilities, the community, drug shops and schools. METHODS A comprehensive search of the Pubmed database was conducted to evaluate RDT execution, test accuracy, or adherence to test results in sub-Saharan Africa. Original RDT and Plasmodium falciparum focused studies conducted in formal health care facilities, drug shops, schools, or by CHWs between the year 2000 and December 2016 were included. Studies were excluded if they were conducted exclusively in a research laboratory setting, where staff from the study team conducted RDTs, or in settings outside of sub-Saharan Africa. RESULTS The literature search identified 757 reports. A total of 52 studies were included in the analysis. Overall, RDTs were performed safely and effectively by community health workers provided they receive proper training. Analogous information was largely absent for formal health care workers. Tests were generally accurate across contexts, except for in drug shops where lower specificities were observed. Adherence to RDT results was higher among drug shop vendors and community health workers, while adherence was more variable among formal health care workers, most notably with negative test results. CONCLUSIONS Malaria RDTs are generally used well, though compliance with test results is variable - especially in the formal health care sector. If low adherence rates are extrapolated, thousands of patients may be incorrectly diagnosed and receive inappropriate treatment resulting in a low quality of care and unnecessary drug use. Multidisciplinary research should continue to explore determinants of good RDT use, and seek to better understand how to support and sustain the correct use of this diagnostic tool.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wendy P O'Meara
- Duke Global Health Institute, Durham, NC, USA.,School of Public Health, Moi University College of Health Sciences, Eldoret, Kenya
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Hopkins H, Bruxvoort KJ, Cairns ME, Chandler CIR, Leurent B, Ansah EK, Baiden F, Baltzell KA, Björkman A, Burchett HED, Clarke SE, DiLiberto DD, Elfving K, Goodman C, Hansen KS, Kachur SP, Lal S, Lalloo DG, Leslie T, Magnussen P, Jefferies LM, Mårtensson A, Mayan I, Mbonye AK, Msellem MI, Onwujekwe OE, Owusu-Agyei S, Reyburn H, Rowland MW, Shakely D, Vestergaard LS, Webster J, Wiseman VL, Yeung S, Schellenberg D, Staedke SG, Whitty CJM. Impact of introduction of rapid diagnostic tests for malaria on antibiotic prescribing: analysis of observational and randomised studies in public and private healthcare settings. BMJ 2017; 356:j1054. [PMID: 28356302 PMCID: PMC5370398 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.j1054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Objectives To examine the impact of use of rapid diagnostic tests for malaria on prescribing of antimicrobials, specifically antibiotics, for acute febrile illness in Africa and Asia.Design Analysisof nine preselected linked and codesigned observational and randomised studies (eight cluster or individually randomised trials and one observational study).Setting Public and private healthcare settings, 2007-13, in Afghanistan, Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda.Participants 522 480 children and adults with acute febrile illness.Interventions Rapid diagnostic tests for malaria.Main outcome measures Proportions of patients for whom an antibiotic was prescribed in trial groups who had undergone rapid diagnostic testing compared with controls and in patients with negative test results compared with patients with positive results. A secondary aim compared classes of antibiotics prescribed in different settings.Results Antibiotics were prescribed to 127 052/238 797 (53%) patients in control groups and 167 714/283 683 (59%) patients in intervention groups. Antibiotics were prescribed to 40% (35 505/89 719) of patients with a positive test result for malaria and to 69% (39 400/57 080) of those with a negative result. All but one study showed a trend toward more antibiotic prescribing in groups who underwent rapid diagnostic tests. Random effects meta-analysis of the trials showed that the overall risk of antibiotic prescription was 21% higher (95% confidence interval 7% to 36%) in intervention settings. In most intervention settings, patients with negative test results received more antibiotic prescriptions than patients with positive results for all the most commonly used classes: penicillins, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (one exception), tetracyclines, and metronidazole.Conclusions Introduction of rapid diagnostic tests for malaria to reduce unnecessary use of antimalarials-a beneficial public health outcome-could drive up untargeted use of antibiotics. That 69% of patients were prescribed antibiotics when test results were negative probably represents overprescription.This included antibiotics from several classes, including those like metronidazole that are seldom appropriate for febrile illness, across varied clinical, health system, and epidemiological settings. It is often assumed that better disease specific diagnostics will reduce antimicrobial overuse, but they might simply shift it from one antimicrobial class to another. Current global implementation of malaria testing might increase untargeted antibiotic use and must be examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi Hopkins
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | | | - Matthew E Cairns
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | | | - Baptiste Leurent
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Siân E Clarke
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | | | | | | | - Kristian S Hansen
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
- University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DK1014, Denmark
| | | | - Sham Lal
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | | | - Toby Leslie
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
- Health Protection Research Organisation, Kabul, Afghanistan
| | - Pascal Magnussen
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, University of Copenhagen and Copenhagen University Hospital, and Department for Veterinary Disease Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | - Ismail Mayan
- Health Protection Research Organisation, Kabul, Afghanistan
| | - Anthony K Mbonye
- Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
- Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Obinna E Onwujekwe
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Nigeria, Enugu, Nigeria
| | - Seth Owusu-Agyei
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
- Kintampo Health Research Centre, Kintampo, Ghana
| | - Hugh Reyburn
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Mark W Rowland
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Delér Shakely
- Centre for Malaria Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, and Health Metrics at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Lasse S Vestergaard
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jayne Webster
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Virginia L Wiseman
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Shunmay Yeung
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | | | - Sarah G Staedke
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
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Chandler CIR, Webb EL, Maiteki-Sebuguzi C, Nayiga S, Nabirye C, DiLiberto DD, Ssemmondo E, Dorsey G, Kamya MR, Staedke SG. The impact of an intervention to introduce malaria rapid diagnostic tests on fever case management in a high transmission setting in Uganda: A mixed-methods cluster-randomized trial (PRIME). PLoS One 2017; 12:e0170998. [PMID: 28288172 PMCID: PMC5347994 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0170998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rapid diagnostic tests for malaria (mRDTs) have been scaled-up widely across Africa. The PRIME study evaluated an intervention aiming to improve fever case management using mRDTs at public health centers in Uganda. METHODS A cluster-randomized trial was conducted from 2010-13 in Tororo, a high malaria transmission setting. Twenty public health centers were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to intervention or control. The intervention included training in health center management, fever case management with mRDTs, and patient-centered services; plus provision of mRDTs and artemether-lumefantrine (AL) when stocks ran low. Three rounds of Interviews were conducted with caregivers of children under five years of age as they exited health centers (N = 1400); reference mRDTs were done in children with fever (N = 1336). Health worker perspectives on mRDTs were elicited through semi-structured questionnaires (N = 49) and in-depth interviews (N = 10). The primary outcome was inappropriate treatment of malaria, defined as the proportion of febrile children who were not treated according to guidelines based on the reference mRDT. FINDINGS There was no difference in inappropriate treatment of malaria between the intervention and control arms (24.0% versus 29.7%, adjusted risk ratio 0.81 [95% CI: 0.56, 1.17] p = 0.24). Most children (76.0%) tested positive by reference mRDT, but many were not prescribed AL (22.5% intervention versus 25.9% control, p = 0.53). Inappropriate treatment of children testing negative by reference mRDT with AL was also common (31.3% invention vs 42.4% control, p = 0.29). Health workers appreciated mRDTs but felt that integrating testing into practice was challenging given constraints on time and infrastructure. CONCLUSIONS The PRIME intervention did not have the desired impact on inappropriate treatment of malaria for children under five. In this high transmission setting, use of mRDTs did not lead to the reductions in antimalarial prescribing seen elsewhere. Broader investment in health systems, including infrastructure and staffing, will be required to improve fever case management.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emily L. Webb
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Susan Nayiga
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | | | | | - Grant Dorsey
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, United States of America
| | - Moses R. Kamya
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
- Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Sarah G. Staedke
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
- * E-mail:
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Burchett HED, Leurent B, Baiden F, Baltzell K, Björkman A, Bruxvoort K, Clarke S, DiLiberto D, Elfving K, Goodman C, Hopkins H, Lal S, Liverani M, Magnussen P, Mårtensson A, Mbacham W, Mbonye A, Onwujekwe O, Roth Allen D, Shakely D, Staedke S, Vestergaard LS, Whitty CJM, Wiseman V, Chandler CIR. Improving prescribing practices with rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs): synthesis of 10 studies to explore reasons for variation in malaria RDT uptake and adherence. BMJ Open 2017; 7:e012973. [PMID: 28274962 PMCID: PMC5353269 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-012973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The overuse of antimalarial drugs is widespread. Effective methods to improve prescribing practice remain unclear. We evaluated the impact of 10 interventions that introduced rapid diagnostic tests for malaria (mRDTs) on the use of tests and adherence to results in different contexts. DESIGN A comparative case study approach, analysing variation in outcomes across different settings. SETTING Studies from the ACT Consortium evaluating mRDTs with a range of supporting interventions in 6 malaria endemic countries. Providers were governmental or non-governmental healthcare workers, private retail sector workers or community volunteers. Each study arm in a distinct setting was considered a case. PARTICIPANTS 28 cases from 10 studies were included, representing 148 461 patients seeking care for suspected malaria. INTERVENTIONS The interventions included different mRDT training packages, supervision, supplies and community sensitisation. OUTCOME MEASURES Analysis explored variation in: (1) uptake of mRDTs (% febrile patients tested); (2) provider adherence to positive mRDTs (% Plasmodium falciparum positive prescribed/given Artemisinin Combination Treatment); (3) provider adherence to negative mRDTs (% P. falciparum negative not prescribed/given antimalarial). RESULTS Outcomes varied widely across cases: 12-100% mRDT uptake; 44-98% adherence to positive mRDTs; 27-100% adherence to negative mRDTs. Providers appeared more motivated to perform well when mRDTs and intervention characteristics fitted with their own priorities. Goodness of fit of mRDTs with existing consultation and diagnostic practices appeared crucial to maximising the impact of mRDTs on care, as did prior familiarity with malaria testing; adequate human resources and supplies; possible alternative treatments for mRDT-negative patients; a more directive intervention approach and local preferences for ACTs. CONCLUSIONS Basic training and resources are essential but insufficient to maximise the potential of mRDTs in many contexts. Programme design should respond to assessments of provider priorities, expectations and capacities. As mRDTs become established, the intensity of supporting interventions required seems likely to reduce.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen E D Burchett
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Baptiste Leurent
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Frank Baiden
- Epidemiology Unit, Ensign College of Public Health, Kpong, Ghana
| | - Kimberly Baltzell
- Department of Family Health Care Nursing, and Global Health Science, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Anders Björkman
- Department of Microbiology, Tumour and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Katia Bruxvoort
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Siân Clarke
- Disease Control Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Deborah DiLiberto
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Kristina Elfving
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Goteborg, Sweden
- Department of Paediatrics, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Goteborg, Sweden
- Department of Microbiology, Tumour and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Catherine Goodman
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Heidi Hopkins
- Disease Control Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Sham Lal
- Disease Control Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Marco Liverani
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Pascal Magnussen
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Centre for Medical Parasitology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Andreas Mårtensson
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Wilfred Mbacham
- Laboratory for Public Health Research Biotechnologies, The Biotechnology Center, University of Yaoundé, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Anthony Mbonye
- School of Public Health- Makerere University and Commissioner Health Services, Ministry of Health, Uganda
| | - Obinna Onwujekwe
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Nigeria Enugu-Campus, Nigeria
| | | | - Delér Shakely
- Department of Microbiology, Tumour and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Medicine, Kungälv Hospital, Sweden
| | - Sarah Staedke
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Lasse S Vestergaard
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, University of Copenhagen and Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Denmark
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Statens Serum Institut, Denmark
| | - Christopher J M Whitty
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Virginia Wiseman
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Australia
| | - Clare I R Chandler
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Visser T, Bruxvoort K, Maloney K, Leslie T, Barat LM, Allan R, Ansah EK, Anyanti J, Boulton I, Clarke SE, Cohen JL, Cohen JM, Cutherell A, Dolkart C, Eves K, Fink G, Goodman C, Hutchinson E, Lal S, Mbonye A, Onwujekwe O, Petty N, Pontarollo J, Poyer S, Schellenberg D, Streat E, Ward A, Wiseman V, Whitty CJM, Yeung S, Cunningham J, Chandler CIR. Introducing malaria rapid diagnostic tests in private medicine retail outlets: A systematic literature review. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0173093. [PMID: 28253315 PMCID: PMC5333947 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0173093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2016] [Accepted: 02/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Many patients with malaria-like symptoms seek treatment in private medicine retail outlets (PMR) that distribute malaria medicines but do not traditionally provide diagnostic services, potentially leading to overtreatment with antimalarial drugs. To achieve universal access to prompt parasite-based diagnosis, many malaria-endemic countries are considering scaling up malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) in these outlets, an intervention that may require legislative changes and major investments in supporting programs and infrastructures. This review identifies studies that introduced malaria RDTs in PMRs and examines study outcomes and success factors to inform scale up decisions. Methods Published and unpublished studies that introduced malaria RDTs in PMRs were systematically identified and reviewed. Literature published before November 2016 was searched in six electronic databases, and unpublished studies were identified through personal contacts and stakeholder meetings. Outcomes were extracted from publications or provided by principal investigators. Results Six published and six unpublished studies were found. Most studies took place in sub-Saharan Africa and were small-scale pilots of RDT introduction in drug shops or pharmacies. None of the studies assessed large-scale implementation in PMRs. RDT uptake varied widely from 8%-100%. Provision of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) for patients testing positive ranged from 30%-99%, and was more than 85% in five studies. Of those testing negative, provision of antimalarials varied from 2%-83% and was less than 20% in eight studies. Longer provider training, lower RDT retail prices and frequent supervision appeared to have a positive effect on RDT uptake and provider adherence to test results. Performance of RDTs by PMR vendors was generally good, but disposal of medical waste and referral of patients to public facilities were common challenges. Conclusions Expanding services of PMRs to include malaria diagnostic services may hold great promise to improve malaria case management and curb overtreatment with antimalarials. However, doing so will require careful planning, investment and additional research to develop and sustain effective training, supervision, waste-management, referral and surveillance programs beyond the public sector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodoor Visser
- Clinton Health Access Initiative, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Katia Bruxvoort
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kathleen Maloney
- Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Toby Leslie
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lawrence M. Barat
- US President’s Malaria Initiative, United States Agency for International Development, Washington DC, United States of America
| | | | - Evelyn K. Ansah
- Research & Development Division, Ghana Health Service, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Ian Boulton
- TropMed Pharma Consulting, Lower Shiplake, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Siân E. Clarke
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jessica L. Cohen
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, United States of America
| | - Justin M. Cohen
- Clinton Health Access Initiative, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | | | - Caitlin Dolkart
- Clinton Health Access Initiative, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Katie Eves
- Mentor Initiative, West Sussex, United Kingdom
| | - Günther Fink
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, United States of America
| | - Catherine Goodman
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Eleanor Hutchinson
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sham Lal
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Nora Petty
- Clinton Health Access Initiative, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | | | | | - David Schellenberg
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Abigail Ward
- Clinton Health Access Initiative, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Virginia Wiseman
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, UNSW, Sydney, Australia
| | - Christopher J. M. Whitty
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Shunmay Yeung
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jane Cunningham
- Global Malaria Program, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Clare I. R. Chandler
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Hutchinson E, Hutchison C, Lal S, Hansen K, Kayendeke M, Nabirye C, Magnussen P, Clarke SE, Mbonye A, Chandler CIR. Introducing rapid tests for malaria into the retail sector: what are the unintended consequences? BMJ Glob Health 2017; 2:e000067. [PMID: 28588992 PMCID: PMC5321379 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2016-000067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2016] [Revised: 11/09/2016] [Accepted: 11/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The observation that many people in Africa seek care for febrile illness in the retail sector has led to a number of public health initiatives to try to improve the quality of care provided in these settings. The potential to support the introduction of rapid diagnostic tests for malaria (mRDTs) into drug shops is coming under increased scrutiny. Those in favour argue that it enables the harmonisation of policy around testing and treatment for malaria and maintains a focus on market-based solutions to healthcare. Despite the enthusiasm among many global health actors for this policy option, there is a limited understanding of the consequences of the introduction of mRDTs in the retail sector. We undertook an interpretive, mixed methods study with drug shop vendors (DSVs), their clients and local health workers to explore the uses and interpretations of mRDTs as they became part of daily practice in drug shops during a trial in Mukono District, Uganda. This paper reports the unintended consequences of their introduction. It describes how the test engendered trust in the professional competence of DSVs; was misconstrued by clients and providers as enabling a more definitive diagnosis of disease in general rather than malaria alone; that blood testing made drug shops more attractive places to seek care than they had previously been; was described as shifting treatment-seeking behaviour away from formal health centres and into drug shops; and influenced an increase in sales of medications, particularly antibiotics. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT01194557; Results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor Hutchinson
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Coll Hutchison
- Department of Social and Environmental Health Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Sham Lal
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Kristian Hansen
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | | | - Pascal Magnussen
- Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, Centre for Medical Parasitology & Institute for Veterinary Disease Biology, Section for Parasitology and Aquatic Diseases, University of Copenhagen, Kobenhavn, Denmark
| | - Siân E Clarke
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Clare I R Chandler
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Maloney K, Ward A, Krenz B, Petty N, Bryson L, Dolkart C, Visser T, Le Menach A, Scott VK, Cohen JM, Mtumbuka E, Mkude S. Expanding access to parasite-based malaria diagnosis through retail drug shops in Tanzania: evidence from a randomized trial and implications for treatment. Malar J 2017; 16:6. [PMID: 28049481 PMCID: PMC5209819 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-016-1658-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2016] [Accepted: 12/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Tanzania has seen a reduction in the fraction of fevers caused by malaria, likely due in part to scale-up of control measures. While national guidelines require parasite-based diagnosis prior to treatment, it is estimated that more than half of suspected malaria treatment-seeking in Tanzania initiates in the private retail sector, where diagnosis by malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDT) or microscopy is illegal. This pilot study investigated whether the introduction of RDTs into Accredited Drug Dispensing Outlets (ADDOs) under realistic market conditions would improve case management practices. Methods Dispensers from ADDOs in two intervention districts in Tanzania were trained to stock and perform RDTs and monitored quarterly. Each district was assigned a different recommended retail price to evaluate the need for a subsidy. Malaria RDT and artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) uptake and availability were measured pre-intervention and 1 year post-intervention through structured surveys of ADDO owners and exiting customers in both intervention districts and one contiguous control district. Descriptive analysis and logistic regression were used to compare the three districts and identify predictive variables for testing. Results and discussion A total of 310 dispensers from 262 ADDOs were trained to stock and perform RDTs. RDT availability in intervention ADDOs increased from 1% (n = 172) to 73% (n = 163) during the study; ACT medicines were available in 75% of 260 pre-intervention and 68% of 254 post-intervention ADDOs. Pre-treatment testing performed within the ADDO increased from 0 to 65% of suspected malaria patients who visited a shop (95% CI 60.8–69.6%) with no difference between intervention districts. Overall parasite-based diagnosis increased from 19 to 74% in intervention districts and from 3 to 18% in the control district. Prior knowledge of RDT availability (aOR = 1.9, p = 0.03) and RDT experience (aOR = 1.9, p = 0.01) were predictors for testing. Adherence data indicated that 75% of malaria positives received ACT, while 3% of negatives received ACT. Conclusions Trained and supervised ADDO dispensers in rural Tanzania performed and sold RDTs under real market conditions to two-thirds of suspected malaria patients during this one-year pilot. These results support the hypothesis that introducing RDTs into regulated private retail sector settings can improve malaria testing and treatment practices without an RDT subsidy. Trial registration ISRCTN ISRCTN14115509
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen Maloney
- Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc., 383 Dorchester Avenue Suite 400, Boston, MA, 02127, USA
| | - Abigail Ward
- Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc., 383 Dorchester Avenue Suite 400, Boston, MA, 02127, USA.
| | - Bonnie Krenz
- Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc., Tanzania Office, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Nora Petty
- Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc., 383 Dorchester Avenue Suite 400, Boston, MA, 02127, USA
| | - Lindsay Bryson
- Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc., 383 Dorchester Avenue Suite 400, Boston, MA, 02127, USA
| | - Caitlin Dolkart
- Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc., 383 Dorchester Avenue Suite 400, Boston, MA, 02127, USA
| | - Theodoor Visser
- Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc., 383 Dorchester Avenue Suite 400, Boston, MA, 02127, USA
| | - Arnaud Le Menach
- Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc., 383 Dorchester Avenue Suite 400, Boston, MA, 02127, USA
| | - Valerie K Scott
- Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc., 383 Dorchester Avenue Suite 400, Boston, MA, 02127, USA
| | - Justin M Cohen
- Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc., 383 Dorchester Avenue Suite 400, Boston, MA, 02127, USA
| | - Esther Mtumbuka
- Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc., Tanzania Office, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Sigsbert Mkude
- Tanzania National Malaria Control Programme, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
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Liow E, Kassam R, Sekiwunga R. How unlicensed drug vendors in rural Uganda perceive their role in the management of childhood malaria. Acta Trop 2016; 164:455-462. [PMID: 27771418 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2016.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2016] [Revised: 10/06/2016] [Accepted: 10/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A large number of caregivers in Uganda rely on the private drug delivery sector to manage childhood illnesses such as malaria. In rural settings where the formal private sector is scarce, unlicensed retail drug outlets are an important initial source of care for households. Despite their abundance, little is known about them. This study explores unlicensed retail drug outlet vendors' perceptions of their practice and social environment in one rural district of Uganda. MATERIALS AND METHODS A qualitative design using semi-structured interviews was conducted with vendors from unlicensed retail drug outlets across all 10 sub-counties of Butaleja District. The study was conducted over a six-week period in 2011. Open-ended questions were used to gain insight into participants' perspectives, and data were analyzed using acceptable qualitative research protocols. RESULTS Interviews were carried out with 75 vendors by trained local research assistants. Most vendors operated out of drug shops, just over half were both owners and shop attendants, and only 14% had qualifications to apply for operating a licensed drug shop. Vendors' experiences with managing malaria in children aged five and under in their community revealed five major themes, their perceptions of: 1) their role in the community, 2) their ability to manage uncomplicated malaria in young children, 3) the challenges of day-to-day operations, 4) the effect of regulatory policies on their ability to serve their communities, and 5) the prospect of future training programs. While the literature has raised concerns regarding the quality of care provided at such unlicensed outlets, most vendors in this study had a limited awareness of their deficiencies. CONCLUSIONS There was a general sentiment among vendors that the public health system within Butaleja was failing the community and their presence was filling an important vacuum. Given the dominance of unlicensed retail drug outlets over their formal (licensed) counterparts in many rural settings, further deliberations and research is critical to determine how best to fit in and create value from the unlicensed sector within the formal health system.
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49
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Hansen KS, Lesner TH, Østerdal LP. Optimal price subsidies for appropriate malaria testing and treatment behaviour. Malar J 2016; 15:534. [PMID: 27814767 PMCID: PMC5097430 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-016-1582-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2016] [Accepted: 10/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Malaria continues to be a serious public health problem particularly in Africa. Many people infected with malaria do not access effective treatment due to high price. At the same time many individuals receiving malaria drugs do not suffer from malaria because of the common practice of presumptive diagnosis. A global subsidy on artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) has recently been suggested to increase access to the most effective malaria treatment. Methods Following the recommendation by World Health Organization that parasitological testing should be performed before treatment and ACT prescribed to confirmed cases only, it is investigated in this paper if a subsidy on malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) should be incorporated. A model is developed consisting of a representative individual with fever suspected to be malaria, seeking care at a specialized drug shop where RDTs, ACT medicines, and cheap, less effective anti-malarials are sold. Assuming that the individual has certain beliefs of the accuracy of the RDT and the probability that the fever is malaria, the model predicts the diagnosis-treatment behaviour of the individual. Subsidies on RDTs and ACT are introduced to incentivize appropriate behaviour: choose an RDT before treatment and purchase ACT only if the test is positive. Results Solving the model numerically suggests that a combined subsidy on both RDT and ACT is cost minimizing and improves diagnosis-treatment behaviour of individuals. For certain beliefs, such as low trust in RDT accuracy and strong belief that a fever is malaria, subsidization is not sufficient to incentivize appropriate behaviour. Conclusions A combined subsidy on both RDT and ACT rather than a single subsidy is likely required to improve diagnosis-treatment behaviour among individuals seeking care for malaria in the private sector. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12936-016-1582-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristian Schultz Hansen
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK. .,Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, 1014, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Tine Hjernø Lesner
- Department of Business and Economics, and Centre of Health Economics Research (COHERE), University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230, Odense M, Denmark
| | - Lars Peter Østerdal
- Department of Economics, Copenhagen Business School, Porcelænshaven 16A, 2000, Frederiksberg, Denmark
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Prudhomme O'Meara W, Mohanan M, Laktabai J, Lesser A, Platt A, Maffioli E, Turner EL, Menya D. Assessing the independent and combined effects of subsidies for antimalarials and rapid diagnostic testing on fever management decisions in the retail sector: results from a factorial randomised trial in western Kenya. BMJ Glob Health 2016; 1:e000101. [PMID: 28588946 PMCID: PMC5321344 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2016-000101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2016] [Revised: 08/16/2016] [Accepted: 09/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives There is an urgent need to understand how to improve targeting of artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) to patients with confirmed malaria infection, including subsidised ACTs sold over-the-counter. We hypothesised that offering an antimalarial subsidy conditional on a positive malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDT) would increase uptake of testing and improve rational use of ACTs. Methods We designed a 2×2 factorial randomised experiment evaluating 2 levels of subsidy for RDTs and ACTs. Between July 2014 and June 2015, 444 individuals with a malaria-like illness who had not sought treatment were recruited from their homes. We used scratch cards to allocate participants into 4 groups in a ratio of 1:1:1:1. Participants were eligible for an unsubsidised or fully subsidised RDT and 1 of 2 levels of ACT subsidy (current retail price or an additional subsidy conditional on a positive RDT). Treatment decisions were documented 1 week later. Our primary outcome was uptake of malaria testing. Secondary outcomes evaluated ACT consumption among those with a negative test, a positive test or no test. Results Offering a free RDT increased the probability of testing by 18.6 percentage points (adjusted probability difference (APD), 95% CI 5.9 to 31.3). An offer of a conditional ACT subsidy did not have an additional effect on the probability of malaria testing when the RDT was free (APD=2.7; 95% CI −8.6 to 14.1). However, receiving the conditional ACT subsidy increased the probability of taking an ACT following a positive RDT by 19.5 percentage points (APD, 95% CI 2.2 to 36.8). Overall, the proportion who took ACT following a negative test was lower than those who took ACT without being tested, indicated improved targeting among those who were tested. Conclusions Both subsidies improved appropriate fever management, demonstrating the impact of these costs on decision making. However, the conditional ACT subsidy did not increase testing. We conclude that each of the subsidies primarily impacts the most immediate decision. Trial registration number NCT02199977.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy Prudhomme O'Meara
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA.,Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA.,Moi University School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Manoj Mohanan
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA.,Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA.,Department of Economics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jeremiah Laktabai
- Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH), Eldoret, Kenya.,Moi University School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Adriane Lesser
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Alyssa Platt
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA.,Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Elisa Maffioli
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA.,Department of Economics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Elizabeth L Turner
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA.,Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Diana Menya
- Moi University School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Eldoret, Kenya
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