Adherence to the test, treat and track strategy for malaria control among prescribers, Mfantseman Municipality, Central Region, Ghana

Ernestina Esinam Agbemafle, Adolphina Addo-Lartey, Magdalene Akos Odikro, Joseph Asamoah Frimpong, Chrysantus Kubio, Donne Kofi Ameme, Samuel Oko Sackey and Harriet Affran Bonful

PLOS ONE, 2023, vol. 18, issue 2, 1-15

Abstract: Background: The test, treat, and track (T3) strategy is directed at ensuring diagnosis and prompt treatment of uncomplicated malaria cases. Adherence to T3 strategy reduces wrong treatment and prevents delays in treating the actual cause of fever that may otherwise lead to complications or death. Data on adherence to all three aspects of the T3 strategy is sparse with previous studies focusing on the testing and treatment aspects. We determined adherence to the T3 strategy and associated factors in the Mfantseman Municipality of Ghana. Methods: We conducted a health facility based cross-sectional survey in Saltpond Municipal Hospital and Mercy Women’s Catholic Hospitals in Mfantseman Municipality of the Central Region, Ghana in 2020. We retrieved electronic records of febrile outpatients and extracted the testing, treatment and tracking variables. Prescribers were interviewed on factors associated with adherence using a semi-structured questionnaire. Data analyses was done using descriptive statistics, bivariate, and multiple logistic regression. Results: Of 414 febrile outpatient records analyzed, 47 (11.3%) were under five years old. About 180 (43.5%) were tested with 138 (76.7%) testing positive. All positive cases received antimalarials and 127 (92.0%) were reviewed after treatment. Of 414 febrile patients, 127 (30.7%) were treated according to the T3 strategy. Higher odds of adherence to T3 were observed for patients aged 5–25 years compared to older patients (AOR: 2.5, 95% CI: 1.27–4.87, p = 0.008). Adherence was low among physician assistants compared to medical officers (AOR 0.004, 95% CI 0.004–0.02, p

Date: 2023
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:plo:pone00:0279712

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279712

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