Gashegu Misbah
Background: Malaria remains one of the major public health problems in Rwanda. The country introduced artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) at community level using community health workers (CHWs) for treatment of uncomplicated malaria in 2008. Use of ACT with reliance on presumptive diagnosis may lead to excessive use, increased costs and rise of drug resistance. Thus to overcome these challenges, rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) was introduced to be done by CHWs. This study assessed health care workers experience regarding RDT and their feelings on acceptability of RDTs by community members. Methods: This was a qualitative research approach conducted in five sectors of Rubavu District. Three focus group discussions (FGDs) among community health workers and five key informant interviews (KIIs) were conducted among three in-charges of CHWs, supervisor of the in-charges of CHWs and district health officer. Data were transcribed and coded and then analysed thematically. Results: The study found that CHWs were well experienced in using RDTs. Moreover, district community health supervisor and a district health director confirmed that CHWs were quite experienced in the services they provide. The study further indicated that community acceptability of RDTs for malaria testing was high from the views of health care workers compared to microscopy testing. Conclusion: The data indicated that community health workers are well experienced in the use of RDT for malaria diagnosis and the views of CHWs indicate high acceptability of RDTs for malaria by the community.
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