"Testing for malaria does not cure any pain" A qualitative study exploring low use of malaria rapid diagnostic tests at drug shops in rural Uganda.

ABSTRACT: The World Health Organization recommends all suspected malaria cases be confirmed with a parasitological test, typically a rapid diagnostic test (RDT), prior to treatment. Despite recommendations, many fevers presenting at private drug shops are treated presumptively as malaria without diagnostic testing. The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe community perceptions of RDTs and explore ways to improve malaria case management at drug shops in Bugoye, western Uganda. A total of 63 in-depth interviews were conducted between September and December 2021 with 24 drug shop clients, 19 drug shop vendors, 12 community health workers, and 8 health and community officials. Data was analyzed using thematic content analysis and narrative techniques. While drug shop clients valued RDTs, th

SUBMITTER: Shelus V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10021593 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature