Publication: Exploring health practitioners’ acceptability of a prospective semi‑quantitative pfHRP2 device to define severe malaria in the Democratic Republic of Congo
2
2
Issued Date
2015
Resource Type
Language
eng
Rights
Mahidol University
Rights Holder(s)
BioMed Central
Bibliographic Citation
Malaria Journal. Vol.14, (2015), 503
Suggested Citation
Haan, Freek de, Onyamboko, Marie A., Fanello, Caterina I., Woodrow, Charles J., Yoel Lubell, Boon, Wouter P. C., Dondorp, Arjen M. Exploring health practitioners’ acceptability of a prospective semi‑quantitative pfHRP2 device to define severe malaria in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Malaria Journal. Vol.14, (2015), 503. doi:10.1186/s12936-015-0963-1 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/3091
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Authors
Journal Issue
Thesis
Title
Exploring health practitioners’ acceptability of a prospective semi‑quantitative pfHRP2 device to define severe malaria in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Abstract
Background: A rapid diagnostic tool is being developed to discern severely ill children with severe malaria from
children who are ill with alternative febrile diseases but have coincidental peripheral blood parasitaemia. The device
semi-quantitatively measures plasma pfHRP2 and has the potential to reduce mortality in children with severe febrile
illnesses by improving diagnosis. The aim of this study is to identify contributing and inhibiting factors that affect
healthcare practitioners’ acceptability of this prospective diagnostic device in a high malaria transmission setting in
the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Methods: Data were collected qualitatively by conducting semi-structured interviews with a purposeful sample
of health professionals in Kinshasa, capital of Democratic Republic of Congo. In total, 11 interviews were held with
professionals at four different institutes.
Results: Four key findings emerged: (1) Congolese practitioners perceive the semi-quantitative pfHRP2 device as a
welcome intervention as they recognize the limited reliability of their current diagnostic and therapeutic approaches
to severe febrile illnesses; (2) compatibility of the semi-quantitative pfHRP2 device with clinical equipment and competences
of Congolese health practitioners is considered to be limited, especially in rural settings; (3) a formal training
programme is crucial for correct understanding and application of the semi-quantitative pfHRP2 device; and, (4) provision
of evidence to practitioners, and support from health authorities would be important to establish confidence in
the semi-quantitative pfHRP2 device.
Conclusions: Congolese practitioners perceive the prospective semi-quantitative pfHRP2 device as a welcome addition
to their clinical equipment. The device could improve current diagnostic work-up of severe febrile illness, which
might consequently improve treatment choices. However, despite this recognized potential, several hurdles and drivers
need to be taken into account when implementing this device in DR Congo.