Acceptability of malaria rapid diagnostic tests administered by village health workers in Pangani District, North eastern Tanzania

Malaria Journal

Research

Julius J. Massaga¹  Adiel K. Mushi¹  Godfrey M. Mubyazi¹  Joanna Armstrong Schellenberg²  Jenesta Urassa³  Celine I. Mandara⁴  Mathias Kamugisha⁴  Filbert Francis⁴  Martha Lemnge⁴  Sigbert Mkude⁵  Fidelis Mgohamwende⁵ 

[1] Centre for Enhancement of Effective Malaria Interventions, P.O. Box 9653, 2448, Barack Obama Drive, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania;National Institute for Medical Research, HQ, 3 Barack Obama Drive, 11101, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania;Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Disease, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, UK;National Institute for Medical Research, HQ, 3 Barack Obama Drive, 11101, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania;National Institute for Medical Research, Tanga Centre, P.O. Box 5004, Tanga, Tanzania;National malaria Control Programme, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, 6 Samora Machel Avenue, 11478, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania;

关键词: Malaria rapid diagnostic tests;    Village health workers;    Acceptability;    Rural Tanzania;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12936-016-1495-z

 received in 2016-02-24, accepted in 2016-08-16,  发布年份 2016

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundMalaria continues to top the list of the ten most threatening diseases to child survival in Tanzania. The country has a functional policy for appropriate case management of malaria with rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) from hospital level all the way to dispensaries, which are the first points of healthcare services in the national referral system. However, access to these health services in Tanzania is limited, especially in rural areas. Formalization of trained village health workers (VHWs) can strengthen and extend the scope of public health services, including diagnosis and management of uncomplicated malaria in resource-constrained settings. Despite long experience with VHWs in various health interventions, Tanzania has not yet formalized its involvement in malaria case management. This study presents evidence on acceptability of RDTs used by VHWs in rural northeastern Tanzania.MethodsA cross-sectional study using quantitative and qualitative approaches was conducted between March and May 2012 in Pangani district, northeastern Tanzania, on community perceptions, practices and acceptance of RDTs used by VHWs.ResultsAmong 346 caregivers of children under 5 years old, no evidence was found of differences in awareness of HIV rapid diagnostic tests and RDTs (54 vs. 46 %, p = 0.134). Of all respondents, 92 % expressed trust in RDT results, 96 % reported readiness to accept RDTs by VHWs, while 92 % expressed willingness to contribute towards the cost of RDTs used by VHWs. Qualitative results matched positive perceptions, attitudes and acceptance of mothers towards the use of RDTs by VHWs reported in the household surveys. Appropriate training, reliable supplies, affordability and close supervision emerged as important recommendations for implementation of RDTs by VHWs.ConclusionRDTs implemented by VHWs are acceptable to rural communities in northeastern Tanzania. While families are willing to contribute towards costs of sustaining these services, policy decisions for scaling-up will need to consider the available and innovative lessons for successful universally accessible and acceptable services in keeping with national health policy and sustainable development goals.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s) 2016