Asymptomatic Malaria Prevalence and Health Facility Influence on the Attitude of Facility Users in Malaria Meso-Endemic Districts in Ghana
Keywords:
Malaria, Parasitaemia, Client satisfaction, Asymptomatic, PlasmodiumAbstract
Asymptomatic adults are a regular pool for malaria transmission because of their roles as parasite reservoirs of infection. This study aimed to assess activities at various healthcare facilities that could influence the health seeking attitudes of facility users and to determine malaria infection status of ‘healthy’ adults who accompanied ill relations to selected health facilities. The descriptive, cross-sectional study employed cluster-probability sampling technique to recruit 849 participants from seven districts in malaria meso-endemic forest zone of Ghana. Questionnaires were administered and capillary blood samples were taken for malaria diagnostic tests. While 51.6% had their expectations fully met, 48.4% were dissatisfied because of delays, poor attitude of healthcare staff and hidden charges. Asymptomatic malaria prevalence was 13.1% (111 out of 849). Facility-related challenges can impede access and affect the health-seeking behaviour of potential clients to a health facility. Client satisfaction may not only be limited to clinical effectiveness, so healthcare facilities should consider socio-psychological acceptability and perceptions as well as proactive screening to reduce the menace of malaria infection reservoir.
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