Assessment of Factors Influencing the Use of Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test in Health Facilities in Obuasi, Ghana

Abstract

Background: The use of malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kits is recommended in health facilities where there is so much pressure on microscopy to avoid delay of patients. However, the initiative has been bedevilled by many challenges. Not every suspected malaria case is pathologically confirmed and even among those tested, adherence to test result is often poor. Objective: The main objective of the study was to determine factors influencing the use of RDT in malaria diagnosis in the Obuasi Municipality. Specific objectives were to examine the proportion of patients tested for malaria with the use of RDT kits at the health facilities in the Obuasi Municipality; determine patient factors associated with the use of RDT kits for testing malaria at the health facilities; and to explore health system and organization factors influencing the use of RDT kits for testing malaria at the health facilities in the Obuasi Municipality. Methods: The study applied a retrospective cross sectional design in the selection and use of patients’ folders to establish the proportion of patients tested for malaria using RDT kits while semi-structured interviews were applied to collect data from the health providers on the health system and provider factors influencing the use of RDT kits for testing malaria at the health facilities. Thus, the study utilized both qualitative and quantitative methods. Prescribers and medical scientists from five purposively selected facilities of the five sub-municipalities of the Obuasi Municipality and public health officers from the Obuasi Municipal Health Directorate and the Anglo-Gold Ashanti Malaria Control Programme were recruited. Transcribed data from interviews were analysed thematically. Quantitative data was retrieved from patient folders sampled randomly based on laboratory registers’ numbers of individuals tested for malaria within the month of June, 2017 in the selected health facilities. Quantitative data was analysed using Stata version 15. Key findings: The proportion of patients tested for malaria with the use of RDT kits at the health facilities in the Obuasi Municipality in the selected health facilities was 43%. Overall, the perception of respondents of malaria rapid test kits was good. Stock out of the rapid diagnostic test kit and its limitation such as inability to detect all species of malaria were some of the reported challenges with the testing of all cases and adhering to test results. Conclusions/Recommendation: Given the usefulness of rapid testing in health facilities to reduce patient turnaround time, kits used should be of the possible best quality. Local manufacturers should be encouraged to invest in malaria rapid test kits production.