The feasibility of novel point-of-care diagnostics for febrile illnesses at health centres in Southeast Asia: a mixed-methods study
Issued Date
2023-11-03
Resource Type
eISSN
18783503
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85176509333
Pubmed ID
37317948
Journal Title
Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Volume
117
Issue
11
Start Page
788
End Page
796
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Vol.117 No.11 (2023) , 788-796
Suggested Citation
Adella F.J., Vanna M., Adhikari B., Ol S., Tripura R., Davoeung C., Callery J.J., Sovann Y., Chandna A., Bunreth V., Asnong C., von Seidlein L., Dondorp A.M., Maude R.J., Lubell Y., Wills B., Lek D., Peto T.J. The feasibility of novel point-of-care diagnostics for febrile illnesses at health centres in Southeast Asia: a mixed-methods study. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Vol.117 No.11 (2023) , 788-796. 796. doi:10.1093/trstmh/trad036 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/91131
Title
The feasibility of novel point-of-care diagnostics for febrile illnesses at health centres in Southeast Asia: a mixed-methods study
Author's Affiliation
Angkor Hospital for Children
Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit
Oxford University Clinical Research Unit
National Institute of Public Health Cambodia
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
The Open University
Nuffield Department of Medicine
Khan Sen Sok
Action for Health and Development
Battambang Provincial Health Department
Pailin Provincial Health Department
Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit
Oxford University Clinical Research Unit
National Institute of Public Health Cambodia
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
The Open University
Nuffield Department of Medicine
Khan Sen Sok
Action for Health and Development
Battambang Provincial Health Department
Pailin Provincial Health Department
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The decline of malaria in Southeast Asia means other causes of fever are increasingly relevant, but often undiagnosed. The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of point-of-care tests to diagnose acute febrile illnesses in primary care settings. METHODS: A mixed-methods study was conducted at nine rural health centres in western Cambodia. Workshops introduced health workers to the STANDARD(TM) Q Dengue Duo, STANDARD(TM) Q Malaria/CRP Duo and a multiplex biosensor detecting antibodies and/or antigens of eight pathogens. Sixteen structured observation checklists assessed users' performances and nine focus group discussions explored their opinions. RESULTS: All three point-of-care tests were performed well under assessment, but sample collection was difficult for the dengue test. Respondents expressed that the diagnostics were useful and could be integrated into routine clinical care, but were not as convenient to perform as standard malaria rapid tests. Health workers recommended that the most valued point-of-care tests would directly inform clinical management (e.g. a decision to refer a patient or to provide/withhold antibiotics). CONCLUSIONS: Deployment of new point-of-care tests to health centres could be feasible and acceptable if they are user-friendly, selected for locally circulating pathogens and are accompanied by disease-specific education and simple management algorithms.