Document Type : Original Article
Authors
- . Rauf Audu 1
- . Berko Panyin Anto 2
- . George Asumeng Koffuor 3
- . Akua Afriyie Abruquah 4
- . Kwame Ohene Buabeng 2
1 Department of Clinical and Social Pharmacy, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana Kama Health Service, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
2 Department of Clinical and Social Pharmacy, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
3 Department of Pharmacology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
4 Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumasi Polytechnic, Kumasi, Ghana
Abstract
Objective: Malaria rapid diagnostic test(MRDT) provides a good alternative to malaria
microscopy diagnosis, particularly in resource‑constrained settings. This study therefore
evaluated MRDT in private retail pharmacies (PRPs) as a critical step in community
case malaria management.
Methods: In a prospective, cross‑over, validation survey at six PRPs in the Ashanti
Region of Ghana, 1200 patients presenting with fever in the preceding 48 h were
sampled. Fingerstick blood samples were collected for preparation of thick and thin
blood films for malaria microscopy. Categorized patients (600 each) went through the
processes of MRDT or presumptive diagnosis (PD) of malaria. The malaria disease
prevalence of the study area was established. Selectivity (Se), specificity (Sp), positive
predictive value (PPV) along with false discovery rate (FDR), and negative predictive
value (NPV) along with the false omission rate (FOR), and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR)
of MRDT were then calculated.
Findings: While 43.0% tested positive using the MRDT, 57.0% tested negative. However,
62.0% MRDT‑negative patients in addition to all the MRDT positives were given
artemether‑lumefantrine. Of those diagnosed by PD, 98.2% were prescribed with an
antimalarial (microscopy however confirmed only 70.3% as positive). Se and Sp of the
MRDT were 90.68 ± 11.18% and 98.68 ± 1.19%, respectively. Malaria prevalence was
estimated to be 43.3%. PPV was 98.0%, FDR was 2.0%, NPV was 98.0%, FOR was 2.0%,
and DOR was 2366.43.
Conclusion: Results highlighted good performance of MRDTs at PRPs which could
inform decision toward its implementation.
Keywords
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