Sumadhya Deepika Fernando1, Samafilan Ainan2, Risintha Gayan Premaratne3, Chaturaka Rodrigo4, S R Jayanetti5, Senaka Rajapakse4. 1. Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, 25 Kynsey Road, Colombo 08, Sri Lanka ferndeep@gmail.com. 2. Department of Public Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK. 3. Anti Malaria Campaign, Colombo, Sri Lanka. 4. Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. 5. Regional Malaria Office, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Sri Lanka has eliminated local transmission of malaria. Assessing physician preparedness for early case detection is important, in order to prevent re-establishment of local transmission. METHODS: Adherence to malaria screening practices in patients admitted with fever to 12 hospitals in a previously malaria endemic district was evaluated using a cross sectional survey. In addition, knowledge and attitudes among doctors on current malaria surveillance practices and treatment recommendations was assessed. RESULTS: Of 403 fever patients, 150 warranted screening for malaria under the criteria defined by the Anti Malaria Campaign (AMC), with 93 of them having fever for over 7 days. Of these eligible patients, 12.6% (19/150) were investigated by doctors (including 3 persons with fever over 7 days), 14.6% (22/150) by laboratory staff and 72.6% (109/150) by the research team. The majority of doctors were not familiar with the treatment guidelines for malaria (76.5%, 75/98). CONCLUSIONS: Mandatory continuous medical education programmes need to continue to ensure that malaria remains on the differential diagnosis of a fever patient, especially in patients with fever over 7 days. It is essential to publicize the availability of free-of-charge malaria diagnostic facilities, and to ensure that proper notification procedures are followed when a malaria patient is diagnosed.
INTRODUCTION:Sri Lanka has eliminated local transmission of malaria. Assessing physician preparedness for early case detection is important, in order to prevent re-establishment of local transmission. METHODS: Adherence to malaria screening practices in patients admitted with fever to 12 hospitals in a previously malaria endemic district was evaluated using a cross sectional survey. In addition, knowledge and attitudes among doctors on current malaria surveillance practices and treatment recommendations was assessed. RESULTS: Of 403 feverpatients, 150 warranted screening for malaria under the criteria defined by the Anti Malaria Campaign (AMC), with 93 of them having fever for over 7 days. Of these eligible patients, 12.6% (19/150) were investigated by doctors (including 3 persons with fever over 7 days), 14.6% (22/150) by laboratory staff and 72.6% (109/150) by the research team. The majority of doctors were not familiar with the treatment guidelines for malaria (76.5%, 75/98). CONCLUSIONS: Mandatory continuous medical education programmes need to continue to ensure that malaria remains on the differential diagnosis of a feverpatient, especially in patients with fever over 7 days. It is essential to publicize the availability of free-of-charge malaria diagnostic facilities, and to ensure that proper notification procedures are followed when a malariapatient is diagnosed.
Authors: Priyani Dharmawardena; Chaturaka Rodrigo; Kamini Mendis; W M Kumudu T de A W Gunasekera; Risintha Premaratne; Pascal Ringwald; Deepika Fernando Journal: PLoS One Date: 2017-11-28 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Manonath M Marasinghe; Vissundara M Karunasena; Arundika S Seneratne; Hema D B Herath; Deepika Fernando; Rajitha Wickremasinghe; Kamini N Mendis; Dewanee Ranaweera Journal: Malar J Date: 2020-09-25 Impact factor: 2.979