Improved Diagnostic Testing and Malaria Treatment Practices in Zambia.

This article presents a study on improved diagnostic testing and malaria treatment practices in Zambia. The objective of the study was to assess the association between the use of microscopy and rapid antigen-detection diagnostic tests (RDTs) and the prescription of antimalarials. The study concluded that despite efforts to expand the provision of malaria diagnostics in Zambia, they continue to be underused and patients with negative test results frequently receive antimalarials. Provisions of new tools to reduce inappropriate use of expensive treatments must be accompanied by a change in the clinical treatment of patients presenting with fever but lacking evidence of malaria infection.