Potential Use of Community-Based Rapid Diagnostic Tests for Febrile Illnesses: Formative Research in Peru and Cambodia

by Valerie A. Paz-Soldan, Amy C. Morrison, Heng Sopheab, Julia Schwarz, Karin M. Bauer, Jennie L. Mckenney, Chhorvann Chhea, Vonthanak Saphonn, Dyna Khuon, Robert D. Hontz, Pamina M. Gorbach In 2012, the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency Joint Science and Technology Office initiated a program to develop novel point-of-need diagnostic devices for surveillance of emerging infectious diseases including dengue, malaria, plague, and melioidosis. Prior to distribution of devices to obser ve their correct use among community members in Iquitos, Peru, and Phnom Penh, Cambodia, research was conducted to: 1) assess acceptability of use, including the motivation to use a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) before or instead of seeking care at a health facility, 2) explore comprehension of RDT us e instructions, and 3) examine possible strategies for large scale RDT distribution and use at each site. In February 2014, 9 focus group discussions (FGD) with community members and 5 FGD with health professionals were conducted in Iquitos, and 9 FGD with community members and 9 in-depth interviews with health professionals in Phnom Penh. In both places, participants agreed to use the device themselves (involving finger prick) or could identify someone who could do so in their home or neighborhood. The main incentive to RDT use in both sites was the ability for device results to be used for c are facilitation (post confirmatory tests), specifically reduced wait times to be seen or obtain a diagnosi...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Source Type: research