Improved Clinical and Microscopy Diagnosis at Primary Health Care in Tanzania

Quality Malaria Case Management In Under- Fives In Primary Health Care (Phc) Institutions In Bagamoyo And Kibaha Districts Of Coastal Tanzania:a Multicomponent Controlled Intervention Study

General objective: To improve the quality of fever case management in children in government health facilities in Tanzania Hypothesis:The training of health workers, as well as provision, training and use of microscopes for malaria diagnosis will improve the treatment of clinical episodes of fever in children while reducing the amount and costs of drugs

PHC facilities were eligible for the study if they were rural government owned; accessible by road during rainy season; and within 3 hours by car from Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences (MUCHS), Dar es Salaam

All children attending the 16 PHC facilities under the study during daytime were enrolled if they fulfilled the following criteria:

1. below five years of age
2. fever (temperature≥37.5◦C) and/or reported history of fever in last 2 days
3. able to return to the facility on day 7 after treatment or any other day if symptoms were to worsen or recur
4. the mother/guardian or caretaker consented to participate.

Patients with severe disease and/or general danger signs requiring inpatient care according to the IMCI guidelines were admitted or referred to the health centers or the district hospitals

Inclusion Criteria:

1. below five years of age
2. fever (temperature≥37.5◦C) and/or reported history of fever in last 2 days
3. able to return to the facility on day 7 after treatment or any other day if symptoms were to worsen or recur
4. the mother/guardian or caretaker consented to participate

Exclusion Criteria:

a) N/A