Rapid diagnostic tests compared with malaria microscopy for guiding outpatient treatment of febrile illness in Tanzania: randomised trial.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To compare rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for malaria with routine microscopy in guiding treatment decisions for febrile patients.

Design

Randomised trial.

Setting

Outpatient departments in northeast Tanzania at varying levels of malaria transmission.

Participants

2416 patients for whom a malaria test was requested.

Intervention

Staff received training on rapid diagnostic tests; patients sent for malaria tests were randomised to rapid diagnostic test or routine microscopy

Main outcome measure

Proportion of patients with a negative test prescribed an antimalarial drug.

Results

Of 7589 outpatient consultations, 2425 (32%) had a malaria test requested. Of 1204 patients randomised to microscopy, 1030 (86%) tested negative for malaria;

SUBMITTER: Reyburn H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1804187 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature