PATTERN OF KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTION OF MALARIA RAPID DIAGNOSTIC TEST AMONG DIFFERENT PROFESSIONAL RANKS OF MEDICAL DOCTORS IN A STATE TEACHING HOSPITAL, SOUTHEAST NIGERIA
Abstract
Malaria infection is still of public health importance globally, particularly in Nigeria. The recommendation is that diagnosis of malaria is confirmed through parasite-based blood test before commencing treatment. The objective of this study was to determine the pattern of knowledge and perception on malaria rapid diagnostic test for medical doctors working in departments that manage malaria cases in a tertiary hospital. It was a cross-sectional study. A whole population study of doctors in the General Outpatient, Internal Medicine, and Paediatrics departments of a teaching hospital in Nigeria. Total of 91 copies of the questionnaire was distributed, while 86 were returned for analysis. Mean overall percentage knowledge score for all medical doctors across the three departments was 70.0%, with those in the General Outpatient department recording 70.8%, Internal medicine 60.3%, and 77.9% for Paediatrics. Registrars recorded the highest percentage knowledge score of 75%. Mean Overall percentage positive perception by medical doctors across the three departments was 83.4%, with those in General Outpatient department scoring 93.8%, those in Internal Medicine department 75.9%, and those in Paediatrics department 82.9%. Medical Officers recorded the highest percentage positive perception score of 96.9%. The mean overall percentage score recorded on both knowledge and perception were above 60%. This could be an indication of favorable disposition of medical doctors in this hospital to implement the WHO/Federal government policy of confirming the diagnosis of malaria before initiating treatment; if the enabling environment for this is put in place by the management of the hospital.
Downloads
References
2. World Health Organization. World Malaria Report. WHO, Geneva, Switzerland, 2016.
3. Adedotun AA, MorenikejiOA, Odaibo AB. Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices about malaria in an urban community in southwest Nigeria. Journal of Vector Borne Diseases, 2010, 47: 155 - 159.
4. National Malaria Control Programme, Nigeria. National Malaria Programme 5 years Strategic Plan 2006 - 2010. Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja Nigeria, 2006.
5. World Health Organization. World Malaria Report. WHO, Geneva, Switzerland, 2009.
6. Amexo M, Tolhurst R, Barnish G, Bates I. Malaria Misdiagnosis: Effects on the Poor and Vulnerable. Lancet, 2004, 364: 1896 - 1898.
7. Masanja MI, McMorrow M, Kahigwa E, Kachur SP, McElroy PD. Health Workers use of malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDT) to guide clinical decision making in rural dispensaries, Tanzania. Am J Trop Med Hyg, 2010, 83: 1238 - 1241.
8. Uzochukwu BSC, Obikeze EN, Onwujekwe OE, Onoka CA, Grifiths UK. Cost-Effective analysis of rapid diagnostic test, microscopy and syndromic approach in the diagnosis of malaria in Nigeria: implications for scaling up the deployment of the ACT. Mal J, 2009, 8: 265
9. World Health Organization. Guidelines for the Treatment of malaria, 2nd Edition. WHO, Geneva, Switzerland, 2010.
10. National Malaria and Vector Control Division. National Guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of malaria. Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, Nigeria, 2011.
11. Berger BJ. Rapid Diagnostic Tests for malaria: A review. Defence Research and Development, Canada. Technical Memorandum DRDC Suffield TM, 2005- 2009, 2005
12. World Health Organization. T3: Test, Treat, Track brochure. WHO, Geneva, Switzerland, 2012.
13. World Health Organization. Test, Treat, Track: Scaling up diagnostic testing, treatment, and surveillance for malaria. WHO, Geneva, Switzerland, 2012.
14. Oguonu T, Okafor HU. Comparison of clinical, microscopic and rapid diagnostic test methods in the diagnosis of Plasmodium Falciparum malaria in Enugu, Nigeria. Niger Postgrad Med J, 2007, 14(4): 285 - 289.
15. National Malaria Elimination Programme. National Malaria Strategic Plan 2014 - 2020. Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, Nigeria, 2014.
