Authors: Joseph Kirui, Josephine Malinga, Edna Sang, George Ambani, Lucy Abel, Erick Nalianya, Jane Namae, Matthew Boyce, Jeremiah Laktabai, Diana Menya, Wendy O'Meara
Malaria remains a significant health challenge, especially in Africa where the majority of cases and deaths occur, predominantly affecting children under 5. WHO recommends prompt diagnosis before treatment, and Kenya has adopted a Test and Treat policy, extending testing through community health workers (CHWs). However, many in rural areas still self-treat or seek care in the retail sector without testing. This study aimed to understand factors influencing demand for testing from the community and constraints on CHWs’ testing supply. Results show that 55% had a malaria test, with 38.4% tested by a CHW. This indicates that CHWs offering malaria testing is feasible and beneficial, especially for underserved populations. Awareness of local CHWs, wealthier households, confidence in artemether–lumefantrine, and trust in CHW proficiency were associated with higher testing rates. The study concludes that scaling up CHW interventions is effective for reaching underserved populations, but building trust and awareness is crucial for maximizing impact.
Link: Supply-side and demand-side factors influencing uptake of malaria testing services in the community: lessons for scale-up from a post-hoc analysis of a cluster randomised, community-based trial in western Kenya
Resource Type: Evaluation
Year: 2023
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)
Country: Kenya
Publisher May Restrict Access: No