The Accuracy and Perception of Test-Based Management of Malaria at Private Licensed Chemical Shops in the Middle Belt of Ghana

Anthony Kwarteng Kintampo Health Research Center, Ghana Health Service, Kintampo, Ghana;

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Keziah L. Malm The National Malaria Control Program, Ghana Health Service, Accra, Ghana;

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Lawrence Gyabaa Febir Kintampo Health Research Center, Ghana Health Service, Kintampo, Ghana;

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Theresa Tawiah Kintampo Health Research Center, Ghana Health Service, Kintampo, Ghana;

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George Adjei Kintampo Health Research Center, Ghana Health Service, Kintampo, Ghana;

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Solomon Nyame Kintampo Health Research Center, Ghana Health Service, Kintampo, Ghana;

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Francis Agbokey Kintampo Health Research Center, Ghana Health Service, Kintampo, Ghana;

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Mieks Twumasi Kintampo Health Research Center, Ghana Health Service, Kintampo, Ghana;

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Seeba Amenga-Etego Kintampo Health Research Center, Ghana Health Service, Kintampo, Ghana;

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Daniel Amaning Danquah The National Malaria Control Program, Ghana Health Service, Accra, Ghana;

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Constance Bart-Plange The Pharmacy Council of Ghana, Ministry of Health, Accra, Ghana;

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Seth Owusu-Agyei Institute of Health Research, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana

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Kwaku Poku Asante Kintampo Health Research Center, Ghana Health Service, Kintampo, Ghana;

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The sale of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) by private licensed chemical shops (LCS) without testing is contrary to current policy recommendations. This study assessed the accuracy and perception of test-based management of malaria using malaria rapid diagnostic test (mRDT) kits at private LCS in two predominantly rural areas in the middle part of Ghana. Clients presenting at LCS with fever or other signs and symptoms suspected to be malaria in the absence of signs of severe malaria were tested with mRDT by trained attendants and treated based on the national malaria treatment guidelines. Using structured questionnaires, exit interviews were conducted within 48 hours and a follow-up interview on day 7 (±3 days). Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were also conducted to assess stakeholders’ perception on the use of mRDT at LCS. About 79.0% (N = 1,797) of clients reported with a fever. Sixty-six percent (947/1,426) of febrile clients had a positive mRDT result. Eighty-six percent (815/947) of clients with uncomplicated malaria were treated with the recommended ACT. About 97.8% (790/808) of clients with uncomplicated malaria treated with ACT were reported to be well by day 7. However, referral for those with negative mRDT results was very low (4.1%, 27/662). A high proportion of clients with a positive mRDT result received the recommended malaria treatment. Test-based management of malaria by LCS attendants was found to be feasible and acceptable by the community members and other stakeholders. Successful implementation will however require effective referral, supervision and quality control systems.

Author Notes

Address correspondence to Kwaku Poku Asante, Kintampo Health Research Center, Ghana Health Service, P. O. Box 200, Kintampo, Ghana. E-mail: kwakupoku.asante@kintampo-hrc.org

Financial support: The study was funded by the Global Fund through the Ghana National Malaria Control Program of the Ghana Health Service.

Authors’ addresses: Anthony Kwarteng, Lawrence Gyabaa Febir, Theresa Tawiah, George Adjei, Solomon Nyame, Francis Agbokey, Mieks Twumasi, Seeba Amenga-Etego, and Kwaku Poku Asante, Kintampo Health Research Center (KHRC), Ghana Health Service, Kintampo, Ghana, E-mails: anthony.kwarteng@kintampo-hrc.org, lawrence.febir@kintampo-hrc.org, theresa.tawiah@kintampo-hrc.org, george.adjei@kintampo-hrc.org, solomon.nyame@kintampo-hrc.org, francis.agbokey@kintampo-hrc.org, mieks.twumasi@kintampo-hrc.org, seeba.ae@kintampo-hrc.org, and kwakupoku.asante@kintampo-hrc.org. Keziah L. Malm and Constance Bart-Plange, The National Malaria Control Program, Ghana Health Service, Accra, Ghana, E-mails: keziah.malm@ghsmail.org and constance.bartplange@ghsmail.org. Daniel Amaning Danquah, The Pharmacy Council of Ghana, Ministry of Health, Accra, Ghana, E-mail: dandanquah45@gmail.com. Seth Owusu-Agyei, Institute of Health Research, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana, E-mail: sowusuagyei@uhas.edu.gh.

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