1. Malaria prevalence and treatment of febrile patients at health facilities and medicine retailers in Cameroon
- Author
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Lindsay J Mangham, Rachel Laure Nguela, Albertine K. Lele, Barnabas B Orang-Ojong, Virginia Wiseman, Joel N Ambebila, Bonnie Cundill, Akindeh M. Nji, Ignatius C Ndong, Wilfred Fon Mbacham, Olivia A. Achonduh, Joelle Pamen-Ngako, Sarah N. Ndive, and Theresia N. Metoh
- Subjects
Gynecology ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Infectious Diseases ,business.industry ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Medicine ,Parasitology ,business ,medicine.disease ,Malaria epidemiology ,Malaria - Abstract
Objective To investigate the quality of malaria case management in Cameroon 5 years after the adoption of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT). Treatment patterns were examined in different types of facility, and the factors associated with being prescribed or receiving an ACT were investigated. Methods A cross-sectional cluster survey was conducted among individuals of all ages who left public and private health facilities and medicine retailers in Cameroon and who reported seeking treatment for a fever. Prevalence of malaria was determined by rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) in consenting patients attending the facilities and medicine retailers. Results Among the patients, 73% were prescribed or received an antimalarial, and 51% were prescribed or received an ACT. Treatment provided to patients significantly differed by type of facility: 65% of patients at public facilities, 55% of patients at private facilities and 45% of patients at medicine retailers were prescribed or received an ACT (P = 0.023). The odds of a febrile patient being prescribed or receiving an ACT were significantly higher for patients who asked for an ACT (OR = 24.1, P
- Published
- 2011