ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: This study aims to assess the adherence of private health providers to the use of malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and to the prescription of artemisinin-containing combinations (ACT) in patients with uncomplicated malaria. METHODS: We conducted an analytical, retrospective and cross-sectional study in 11 Madagascar's health districts divided into four epidemiological strata in September and in October 2015. A total of 43 health providers from 39 private health care facilities (PHF) were interviewed and visited. RESULTS: Health providers declared having read the malaria management manual in 16.3% of cases (4/43). Only one quarter (25.6%) of health providers had RDTs in their office. ACT was reported as "first-line drug" for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria by 83.7% of health providers. In practice, 55.6% of health providers had doubts about the results of the RDTs. The use of antimalarial drugs, despite having had negative RDTs results (38.2%), was more frequent among those who had raised doubts (p = 0.03). Conversely, despite having had positive RDTs results, half of the health providers did not prescribe ACT (50%). The decision to not participate in periodic reviews by the Health District (p = 0.05) negatively influenced the adherence to the policies. CONCLUSION: The low adherence of private health providers to the national guidelines for the management of uncomplicated malaria raises questions about the importance of exercising more control over health providers activities.