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Palmer, Tanith, Aiyenigba, Abiola, Bates, Imelda 
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0862-8199, Okyere, Doris Dokua, Tagbor, Harry and Ampofo, Gifty Dufie
(2020)
'Improving the effectiveness of point of care tests for malaria and anaemia: a qualitative study across three Ghanaian antenatal clinics'. BMC Health Services Research, Vol 20, Issue 1.
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Improving the effectiveness of point of care tests for malaria and anaemia_ a qualitative study across three Ghanaian antenatal clinics.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (1MB) | Preview |
Abstract
Background: Anaemia and malaria are both major contributors to maternal and child mortality, and morbidity,
with some of the worst outcomes occurring in sub-Saharan Africa. Point of care tests (POCT), if used appropriately,
provide a simple, inexpensive form of diagnostic testing, as a reliable alternative when laboratory tests are not
readily available. In such resource limited settings, clinical staff tend to rely on symptom-based diagnosis and
presumptive treatment. This study uses qualitative methods to identify the current practice of POCT use for malaria
and anaemia, to explore the enablers and barriers to effective implementation of these POCT, and to determine
how relationships between each of the stakeholder groups may impact on POCT use.
Methods: Staff (clinical and laboratory) and patients (pregnant women) at three antenatal care facilities within the
Ashanti Region of Ghana participated in interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs). An initial coding framework
was developed based on the pre-defined objectives of the study. Thematic analysis was used to identify subthemes
and categories within each of the key themes.
Results: At the time data were collected all three facilities used malaria POCT either as an adjunct to microscopy, or
as their only form of malaria testing. Although all three facilities were familiar with haemoglobin colour scale (HCS),
none of the facilities used them routinely. Clinical staff perceived symptom-based diagnosis was a quick way to
diagnosis because access to POCT during consultations was unreliable, but recognized disadvantages associated
with symptom-based diagnosis.
Perceived advantages of malaria and anaemia POCT were user-friendliness, improved diagnosis and opportunity for
patient engagement, as well as lower cost implication for patients. Perceived disadvantages included likelihood of
missed diagnosis of mild anaemia, as well as likelihood of human error leading to in accurate diagnosis which
could impact on patient trust. Poor communication and lack of trust between staff groups was also identified as a
barrier to effective uptake of POCT.
Conclusions: Consistent supply of POCT as well as staff training and staff and patient engagement, are
fundamental to successful uptake of POCT for effective malaria and anaemia management.
Keywords: Antenatal care, Malaria and anaemia in pregnancy, Active participation, Rapid diagnostic test,
Haemoglobin colour scale, LMIC, Ghana
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | WA Public Health > Health Problems of Special Population Groups > WA 310 Maternal welfare WA Public Health > Health Problems of Special Population Groups > WA 395 Health in developing countries WC Communicable Diseases > Tropical and Parasitic Diseases > WC 750 Malaria WH Hemic and Lymphatic Systems > Hematologic Diseases. Immunologic Factors. Blood Banks > WH 155 Anemia WQ Obstetrics > Childbirth. Prenatal Care > WQ 175 Prenatal care |
| Faculty: Department: | Clinical Sciences & International Health > International Public Health Department |
| Digital Object Identifer (DOI): | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-020-05274-7 |
| Depositing User: | Rachel Dominguez |
| Date Deposited: | 22 May 2020 10:02 |
| Last Modified: | 22 May 2020 10:02 |
| URI: | https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/14512 |
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