Abstract:

South Sudan Government and health partners started implementation of malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test (mRDT) testing at community level through Community Health Workers in 2017 in order to reduce malaria morbidity and mortality through improvement of malaria case management among children under five. Malaria diagnostic equipment were available at only 25% of the health facilities (HMIS Report 2012). This study was conducted to determine the factors associated with adherence to mRDT test procedure among Community Health Workers (CHW) while managing malaria for under-fives in former Northern Bar El Ghazal.

Methods and materials: A cross sectional study design was conducted among 480 randomly selected CHWs. Mixed method data collection methods were conducted by using questionnaire for quantitative data which was divided into three sections; demographic, mRDT assessment checklist and adherence factors and focus group discussion guide for qualitative data. Quantitative data was analysed using stata Version 14. Pearson correlation product moment, chi-square, odds ratio and logistic regression were used to ascertain the association. Qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis and triangulation was done.

Results showed that 30% of the CHWs adhered to mRDT test procedure 100%. Workplace environment (p=0.02), education (p=0.00) age (0.04), equipment and supplies(p=0.01) and documentation and reporting (p=0.02) tools availability were found to be significantly associated with adherence of CHWs to mRDT test procedures.

Conclusion: Education, age, workplace environment, equipment and supplies and documentation and reporting tool were significantly associated with adherence of CHWs to mRDT test procedure. Therefore, selection criteria should emphasise education and age. Also programme implementers should provide tools to facility conducting of mRDTs.

Keywords: Individual, community, program, Factors, Adherence, mRDT Test Procedure, Community Health Workers during, Management of Malaria for Under-Five, mRDT Procedures, Individual, community, program, Northern Bar El Ghazal.

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