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A Multi-detection Assay for Malaria Transmitting Mosquitoes
Published on: February 28, 2015
Malaria rapid diagnostic test in children: The Zamfara, Nigeria experience
Isa Abdulkadir1, Hafsah Ahmad Rufai1, Sunday Onazi Ochapa2
1Department of Paediatrics, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
Insights
Malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) show low sensitivity but high specificity in Nigerian children. Further microscopy is recommended for negative RDT results to ensure accurate malaria diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Diagnostic Medicine
Background:
- Malaria significantly impacts under-five morbidity and mortality in Nigeria.
- Prompt malaria diagnosis is crucial for effective management.
- Malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) offer a potentially accessible diagnostic tool.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine malaria prevalence in febrile under-five children in Gusau, Nigeria.
- To evaluate the diagnostic performance of malaria RDT kits in this population.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2012 to January 2013.
- Included febrile children aged 6-59 months presenting to a tertiary health facility.
- Investigated using Giemsa stain microscopy and Carestart™ malaria RDT.
Main Results:
- Malaria prevalence was 54% in 250 children.
- 79% received inappropriate antimalarial treatment prior to presentation.
- RDT sensitivity was 40.3%, specificity 89.6%, PPV 81.8%, NPV 56.5%.
Conclusions:
- RDTs can be used for screening, but positive results require confirmation.
- Negative RDT results necessitate further evaluation with microscopy.
- A protocol combining RDT screening with microscopy backup is recommended.
Background:
Malaria remains a major cause of under-five morbidity and mortality in Nigeria, and prompt diagnosis occupies a strategic position in its management. Malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDT), a nontechnical, easy to perform test promises to meet this need. It is important to locally document the usefulness of the use of RDT in making prompt malaria diagnosis in children.
Objective:
To determine the prevalence of malaria and evaluate the diagnostic performance of malaria RDT kit in febrile under-five children presenting to a Tertiary Health Facility in Gusau, North-Western Nigeria.
Materials And Methods:
A cross-sectional study of children aged 6-59 months, evaluated for malaria in a tertiary health facility from August 2012 to January 2013. Information was obtained from care providers of all subjects with fever and a presumptive diagnosis of malaria. All subjects were investigated using Giemsa stain microscopy and Carestart™ malaria RDT.
Results:
The prevalence of malaria in 250 febrile under-five children was 54%. Three-quarter (79%) of the children received inappropriate nonrecommended antimalaria prior to their presentation, including 20% who received chloroquine. The overall sensitivity of RDT was 40.3%. The specificity, positive and negative predictive values were 89.6%, 81.8%, and 56.5%, respectively.
Conclusion:
Use of RDT should be encouraged for screening and diagnosis using a protocol such that febrile children with positive RDT results are confirmed as having malaria while those with negative results are further evaluated using microscopy.
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