Improved malaria case management through the implementation of a health facility-based sentinel site surveillance system in Uganda.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Heath facility-based sentinel site surveillance has been proposed as a means of monitoring trends in malaria morbidity but may also provide an opportunity to improve malaria case management. Here we described the impact of a sentinel site malaria surveillance system on promoting laboratory testing and rational antimalarial drug use.

Methodology/principal findings

Sentinel site malaria surveillance was established at six health facilities in Uganda between September 2006 and January 2007. Data were collected from all patients presenting to the outpatient departments including demographics, laboratory results, diagnoses, and treatments prescribed. Between the start of surveillance and March 2010, a total 424,701 patients were seen of which 229,375 (54%) were suspect

SUBMITTER: Sserwanga A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3023768 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature