Feasibility study on Rapid Diagnostic Test application and practice of malaria in the eradication phase : A qualitative research conducted in Jiangsu province / 中国卫生政策研究

ABSTRACT

Objective: To discover and summarize the problems and useful practices in the current primary-level application of Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) of malariain the eradicationphase,and explore the feasibility of overall introduction of RDT in primary-level medical institutions. There in after, empirical evidence and policy suggestions are provided for the improvement of primary-level malaria diagnosis systerato better meet the working requirements in the malaria eradication phase. Methods: We selected four districts as theresearch sites from which 36 respondents were invited from city, county and township level. All of the respondents invited to receive face-to-face semi-structural key informants' interviews included hospital physicians, hospital lab professionals, CDC malaria prevention and control professionals, and previous malaria patients. The interviewing system was focused on group interviews. Results:In the current stage,the primary-level malaria control professionals cautiously welcomed the RDT technology application. The lack of complete and specific training system and unclear RDT technological orientation were the two main reasons for the confusions and challenges faced by the above-mentioned professionals in the practical work at the primary-level. The primary-level hospital physicians' attitude towards malaria diagnosis and treatment,and their awareness of related technologies highly depended on their actual experience of receiving malaria cases and the number of residents coming back from their foreign working places (especially Sub-Sahaxan Africa) within their hospitals' service areas as well,which also differs across different regions. Conclusions: From the actual need of healthcare professionals and malaria patients,it is necessary and feasible to introduce RDT in primary-level medical institutions,but on the condition that further strengthening of the training on malaria prevention and control,and essential education on the existing knowledge are provided.