AWARENESS AND UTILISATION OF MALARIA RAPID DIAGNOSTIC TEST AMONG HEALTH WORKERS IN SELECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN IBADAN, OYO STATE

Abstract

A key to the effective management of malaria is prompt and accurate diagnosis, and the use of malaria rapid diagnostic tests is becoming relevant in the absence of reliable microscopy. Developments of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) have opened new possibilities for improved remote malaria diagnosis that is independent of microscopic diagnosis. It is fundamental to effective management and control of malaria. Although a big step has been taken to equip community health workers with knowledge about malaria ROT programs, there is little evidence that studies have been conducted to assess their level of awareness and use of ROT. Hence, this study aims at determining awareness, utilization and factors influencing the utilization of ROT among health workers in Ibadan, Oyo State. The study was a cross sectional survey which involves the use of a three stage sampling technique to select 333 health workers in three LGAs namely:-Ibadan north. Ibadan Northeast and Ibadan Southeast. A self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on socio-demographic characteristics, awareness, utilization, factors influencing the use and the pattern of use of ROT. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Percentages, chi square and logistic regression at 5% level of significance were done in the analysis. The mean age of the respondents was 37.1 ± 8.3 years. Less than half of the health workers (42.9%) were between 30 and 39 years, Majority (80.8%), were females, 82.3% were married and majority were either community health officer (30.3%) or community health extension worker (34.5%). More than half (61.9%) of the respondents had been working in the health facility for less than 4 years.98.2% of the respondents were aware of Rapid Diagnostic Test (ROT) in the diagnosis of malaria. The most common source of information on ROT was from co-health workers (87.4%). Less than half of the respondents (39.8%) had good knowledge on ROT, nevertheless, there was a significant association between the level of knowledge and the use of RDT (p= 0.022). Greater proportion of those than uses RDT were community health workers and this shows a statistically significant association between use and designation p= 0.0 I 3). On bivarate analysis, level of knowledge, level of attitude, level of education, age group, awareness, designation and inadequate staffing level were significantly associated with the use of ROT (P< 0.05). Logistic regression demonstrated that age group (OR= 5.9, 95% Cl= 1.4-26.0), awareness (OR= 33.4, 95% CI= 3.9-278.7), Designation (OR= 7. L 95% CI= 1.2-42.7) and Inadequate staffing level (OR= 5.8, 95% CI= 1.6-21.9) predicted the use of RDT. For effective utilization of RDT, this study provides evidence that emphasis should be placed on training to broadening the health workers' knowledge on the use and benefits of RDT which also helps to increase the utilization rate of RDT in areas where microscopy is unavailable.