scholarly journals Evaluation of the performance of health extension workers on malaria rapid diagnostic tests and predictor factors in Bahir Dar Zuria district, northwest Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. e0249708
Author(s):  
Zelalem Dejazmach ◽  
Getaneh Alemu ◽  
Mulat Yimer ◽  
Chalachew Muluneh ◽  
Banchamlak Tegegne
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Northwest Ethiopia ◽  
Rapid Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Blood Film ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Health Extension Workers ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Service Training

Background In Ethiopia, anti-malaria treatment is initiated after parasitological confirmation using blood film microscopy at health centers and hospitals, or serological rapid diagnostic tests at health posts. At health posts, the diagnosis is performed by health extension workers using rapid diagnostic tests after little training. However, there is paucity of data about the health extension workers’ performance on rapid diagnostic tests. Hence, periodic monitoring of the performances of health extension workers on malaria rapid diagnostic tests and predicted factors plays a pivotal role for the control of malaria. Methods A cross sectional study was conducted in May 2020, among 75 health extension workers working at health posts in Bahir Dar Zuria district, Northwest Ethiopia. Their performance on malaria rapid diagnostic tests was assessed by distributing known positive and negative samples as confirmed by investigators using both rapid diagnostic test and blood film microscopy. Test results from health extension workers were then compared with that of investigators. Procedural errors committed while performing the tests were assessed using observational checklist. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 20. Results The overall sensitivity and specificity of health extension workers in detecting Plasmodium species were 96.8% and 98.7%, respectively with 97.3% result agreement between the health extension workers and investigators (kappa value = 0.949). The most common procedural errors committed by health extension workers was ‘not checking expiry date of the test kits’ followed by ‘not adhering to the appropriate time of reading results’ that 70.7% and 64% of the participants committed these errors, respectively. Total number of procedural errors committed by those who have got in-service training was decreased by 47.3% as compared to those without in-service training. Conclusions Health extension workers had high performance on malaria rapid diagnostic tests. However, in-service training and periodic supervision should be given in order to maximize performance on these tests.

Prevalence and Epidemiological Characteristics of Asymptomatic Malaria Based on Ultrasensitive Diagnostics: A Cross-sectional Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (6) ◽  
pp. 1003-1010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seble Girma ◽  
James Cheaveau ◽  
Abu Naser Mohon ◽  
Dewdunee Marasinghe ◽  
Ruth Legese ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Rapid Diagnostic Tests ◽  
World Health ◽  
Asymptomatic Malaria ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Qrt Pcr ◽  
Epidemiological Characteristics

Abstract Background As the global public-health objectives for malaria evolve from malaria control towards malaria elimination, there is increasing interest in the significance of asymptomatic infections and the optimal diagnostic test to identify them. Method We conducted a cross-sectional study of asymptomatic individuals (N = 562) to determine the epidemiological characteristics associated with asymptomatic malaria. Participants were tested by rapid diagnostic tests (CareStart, Standard Diagnostics [SD] Bioline, and Alere ultrasensitive RDT [uRDT]), loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to determine malaria positivity. Hemoglobin values were recorded, and anemia was defined as a binary variable, according to World Health Organization guidelines. Results Compared to reference qRT-PCR, LAMP had the highest sensitivity (92.6%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 86.4–96.5), followed by uRDT Alere Malaria (33.9%, 95% CI 25.5–43.1), CareStart Malaria (14.1%, 95% CI 8.4–21.5), microscopy (5.0%, 95% CI 1.8–10.5), and SD Bioline (5.0%, 95% CI 1.8–10.5). For Plasmodium falciparum specimens only, the sensitivity for uRDT Alere Malaria was 50.0% (95% CI 38.8–61.3) and SD Bioline was 7.3% (95% CI 2.7–15.3). Based on multivariate regression analysis with qRT-PCR as the gold standard, for every 3.2% increase in the prevalence of asymptomatic malaria, hemoglobin decreased by 1 gram per deciliter (prevalence ratio 0.968, 95% CI 0.940–0.997; P = .032). Deletions (4.8%) in hrp2 were noted. Conclusions While uRDT Alere Malaria has superior sensitivity to rapid diagnostic tests and microscopy in detecting asymptomatic malaria, LAMP is superior still. Ultrasensitive diagnostics provide the accurate prevalence estimates of asymptomatic malaria required for elimination.

scholarly journals Situation of Asymptomatic Malaria among Iranian Native and Af-ghan and Pakistani Immigrants in a Malarious Area under the Na-tional Malaria Elimination Program of Iran

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Setareh ASKARI ◽  
Mehdi NATEGHPOUR ◽  
Afsaneh MOTEVALLI HAGHI ◽  
Leila FARIVAR ◽  
Ahmad RAEISI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Malaria Elimination ◽  
Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Rapid Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Asymptomatic Malaria ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Microscopical Method ◽  
Pakistani Immigrants ◽  
Pcr Techniques

Background: This study was designed to detect, if there are asymptomatic malaria infections amongst native and immigrant population from Afghanistan and Pakistan countries in Sistan & Baluchistan Province of Iran, where is under the national malaria elimination program. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed among native individuals and resident immigrants in the southeastern province of Sistan & Baluchistan from May 2016 to Jul 2017. A total of 271 individuals were considered in this cross- sectional study based on microscopical method, Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) and PCR techniques. Out of 271 native and immigrant participants 140 (52%) and 131 (48%) were male and female, respectively. Results: None of the prepared samples was diagnosed as malaria positive case when was considered via above mentioned three techniques. Conclusion: Neither native nor immigrant individuals had asymptomatic malaria, hinting that national malaria elimination program is performed according to planned schedule in the studied areas

scholarly journals Human Ectoparasites Are Highly Prevalent in the Rural Communities of Northwest Ethiopia: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 117863022110344
Author(s):  
Zemichael Gizaw ◽  
Garedew Tadege Engdaw ◽  
Adane Nigusie ◽  
Mulat Gebrehiwot ◽  
Bikes Destaw
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Rural Households ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Northwest Ethiopia ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Bed Bugs ◽  
Health Extension Workers ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Female Head

Background: Ectoparasites are organisms which inhabit the skin or outgrowths of the skin of another organism (the host). Many ectoparasites are known to be vectors of pathogens, which the parasites typically transmit to hosts. Though, ectoparasites are common in the vulnerable groups and economically disadvantaged communities, there is limited evidence on its magnitude in Ethiopia. This community-based cross-sectional study was, therefore, conducted to assess the prevalence and associated factors of ectoparasites in the rural communities of northwest Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study design with structured observation was conducted among 1191 randomly selected rural households in northwest Ethiopia in May 2016. Data were collected using structured interviewer administered interview questionnaire and structured observation checklist. Prevalence of human ectoparasites in the rural communities was defined as the presence of one or more lice, fleas, bed bugs, mites, and ticks and the presence of these ectoparasites were observed by trained environmental health experts. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify variables associated with prevalence of ectoparasites on the basis of adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and P values <.05. Results: Of a total of 1191 rural households, human or hair lice were observed in one or more of the family members in 186 (15.6%) rural households. Similarly, fleas were observed in more than half, 609 (51.1%) of rural households and bed bugs were observed in 441 (37%) rural households. Furthermore, mites and ticks were reported in 113 (9.5%) and 130 (10.9%) of the households respectively. Accordingly, one or more ectoparasites were observed in 865 of 1191 rural households. The presence of one or more ectoparasites was, therefore, found to be 72.6% (95% CI = 70%-75.1%). The prevalence of ectoparasites was statistically associated with educational status of the female head being not educated (AOR = 1.476, 95% CI = 1.001, 2.177) and absence close supervision by health extension workers (AOR = 2.151, 95% CI = 1.205, 3.843). Conclusion: The prevalence of one or more ectoparasites was high in the rural communities of northwest Ethiopia. The high prevalence was associated with education status of the female head and close supervision of households by health extension workers. Disseminating health information about intervention strategies of ectoparasites and closely supervising the rural households need to be considered.

scholarly journals Women’s satisfaction with their urban health extension programme and associated factors in Gondar administrative city, northwest Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. e039390
Author(s):  
Sisay Molla ◽  
Amsalu Feleke ◽  
Chalie Tadie Tsehay
Keyword(s):  
Urban Health ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Northwest Ethiopia ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Health Extension Workers ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Health Extension Programme

ObjectivesEthiopia is a developing country striving to achieve universal health coverage using the health extension programme. There is limited evidence about Ethiopian women’s satisfaction with their urban health extension programme. Thus, this study was aimed at assessing the level of women’s satisfaction with their urban health extension services and associated factors in Gondar administrative city of northwest Ethiopia and elucidate factors associated with its access and use.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingCommunity.ParticipantsRandomly selected 744 women were interviewed using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire.OutcomeSatisfaction of women over 17 years of age with their urban health extension programme (use and services).ResultsSome 29.4% (95% CI 26.2 to 32.5) of women were satisfied with their urban health extension programme. Divorced women (adjusted OR (AOR): 0.35, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.85), women in the age group of 45–53 years (AOR: 0.35, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.85), private employees (AOR: 0.35, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.85), unsatisfactory knowledge (AOR: 0.13, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.25) and perceived accessibility of health extension workers (AOR: 0.99, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.17) were factors associated with women’s satisfaction with their urban health extension programme.ConclusionsWomen’s satisfaction with their urban health extension programme was low. This finding was associated with age, marital status, occupation, knowledge of participants and women’s perceived accessibility of services. Therefore, increasing awareness about the programme, promoting and improving accessibility of services, particularly by mothers, may augment the utilisation of the programme ultimately leads to efficient use of scarce healthcare resources in Ethiopia.

scholarly journals Integration of symptomatic, demographical and diet-related comorbidities data with SARS-CoV-2 antibody rapid diagnostic tests during epidemiological surveillance: a cross-sectional study in Jakarta, Indonesia

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. e047763
Author(s):  
Rina Agustina ◽  
Ari Fahrial Syam ◽  
Fadila Wirawan ◽  
Indah S Widyahening ◽  
Ahmad Jabir Rahyussalim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Predictive Value ◽  
Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Rapid Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Epidemiological Surveillance ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Current Infection

ObjectivesAffordable options for COVID-19 epidemiological surveillance are needed. Virus detection by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) is sensitive but costly, and antigen-based rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are cheap but with reduced sensitivity; both detect current infection but not exposure. RDT-IgM/IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 detect exposure but have poor sensitivity for current infection. We investigated if the integration of symptomatic, demographical and diet-related comorbidities data with antibody RDTs improves their potential to assess infection rates in addition to exposure, thereby broadening their utility for surveillance.DesignWe conducted a cross-sectional study using data from community surveillance for SARS-CoV-2. Health workers collected nasopharyngeal swabs for RT-PCR and RDT antigen assessments and venous blood for RDT-IgM/IgG from symptomatic and asymptomatic persons. Data on age, gender, contact history, symptoms (ie, fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, headache, dyspnoea and diarrhoea), diet-related comorbidities (ie, diabetes and hypertension) and chest radiology were collected.SettingHigh-risk communities in Jakarta, Indonesia, in May 2020.Participants343 community members’ data were included.Outcome measuresRDT-IgM/IgG sensitivity, specificity and predictive values and area under receiver operating characteristic curve for RT-PCR positivity using RDT results alone and in combination with other predictors, including symptom components derived from principal component analysis.ResultsThere were 24 PCR-confirmed infections. RDT-IgM/IgG-positive tests were associated with infection (OR 10.8, 95% CI 4.43 to 26.4, p<0.001) with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.708% and 50% sensitivity, 91.5% specificity, 30.8% positive predictive value (PPV) and 96.1% negative predictive value (NPV). RDT results combined with age, gender, contact history, symptoms and comorbidities increased the AUC to 0.787 and yielded 62.5% sensitivity, 87.0% specificity, 26.6% PPV and 96.9% NPV.ConclusionsSARS-CoV-2 RDT-IgM/IgG results integrated with other predictors may be an affordable tool for epidemiological surveillance for population-based COVID-19 exposure and current infection, especially in groups with outbreaks or high transmission.

scholarly journals Malaria, Typhoid Fever, and Their Coinfection among Febrile Patients at a Rural Health Center in Northwest Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meseret Birhanie ◽  
Belay Tessema ◽  
Getachew Ferede ◽  
Mengistu Endris ◽  
Bamlaku Enawgaw
Keyword(s):  
Blood Culture ◽  
Typhoid Fever ◽  
Health Center ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Northwest Ethiopia ◽  
Blood Film ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Rural Health Center ◽  
Associated Risk Factors

Background.Malaria and typhoid fever are major public health problems in tropical and subtropical countries. People in endemic areas are at risk of contracting both infections concurrently.Objectives.The study was aimed at determining the prevalence and associated risk factors of malaria, typhoid, and their coinfection among febrile patients.Methods.A cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 febrile patients suspected for malaria and/or typhoid fever from April to May, 2013, at Ayinba Health Center, Northwest Ethiopia. Blood samples were collected for blood culture, Widal test, and blood film preparation. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 statistical software.Results.The prevalence of malaria was 36.5% (n=73). Among these 32 (43.8%), 30 (41.1%) and 11 (15.1%) were positive forP. falciparum, P. vivax,and mixed infections, respectively. The seroprevalence of typhoid fever was 38 (19%), but 1 (0.5%) with blood culture. Malaria typhoid fever coinfection was 13 (6.5%). 2–5-year-old children and poor hand washing habit were significantly associated with malaria and typhoid infection, respectively (P<0.05).Conclusions.The prevalence of malaria and typhoid fever was found high. Further studies should be done on the other determinants of malaria and typhoid fever coinfection in different seasons and different study areas.

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