Artikel
Multi-level assessment of testing and influencing factors as a doorway to the implementation of Test, Treat and Track (T3) for malaria control in Ghana
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Autoren
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Patrick Avevor
- School of Public Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
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Walter Bruchhausen
- Section Global Health, Institute for Hygiene and Public Health, Bonn University, Bonn, Germany
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Rose Adjei
- School of Public Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
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Daniel Opoku
- School of Public Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
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John Humphrey Amuasi
- School of Public Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| Veröffentlicht: | 28. November 2023 |
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Gliederung
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Research question: Malaria is a debilitating vector-borne disease accounting for 619,000 deaths and 247 million cases across 84 endemic countries according to the WHO. Ghana is implementing the test, treat and track (T3) strategy for malaria control. Testing as part of the T3 strategy is a function of the health seeking behaviours of the population and other health system factors including the role of prescribers in requesting tests for suspected cases and moderating factors related to the reliability of diagnostic tools used. Quantification of the effectiveness of the testing component of the overall T3 strategy will provide pointers to the status of universal coverage of malaria diagnosis, and surveillance. This study will assess the effectiveness and compliance of the health system actors to the testing component of the T3 strategy in Ghana.
Method: The study will employ a multi-stage approach and will target different populations groups in the Central Region of Ghana. A cross sectional study (stage one) of targeted locals zoned around selected health facilities providing testing for malaria will assess the health seeking behaviour, community dynamics and socio-cultural influencers related to malaria management among the community. A further cross-sectional study will be conducted to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices of prescribers in the health facilities identified in stage one, towards requesting testing for suspected malaria cases. Thirdly, an exploratory sequential study among laboratorians will investigate the accuracy of malaria tests conducted and factors associated with the accuracy observed. Population level misdiagnosis rates will be estimated.
Expected results: Community dimensions of the T3 strategy will be explored to identify opportunities for improving coverage of the T3 strategy implementation for malaria control. The role prescribers and their adherence to the T3 strategy will be quantified as a quality measure of the implementation of the T3 strategy for malaria control. Missed cases will be quantified, highlighting gaps in providing quality diagnostic services. Comparisons of outcomes of diagnostic techniques will inform quality assurance measures for the success of the T3 strategy for malaria control in Ghana.
