Provider Prescribing Practices for Malaria Treatment
Author Information
Author(s): Hensen Bernadette, Paintain Lucy Smith, Shretta Rima, Bruce Jane, Jones Caroline, Webster Jayne
Primary Institution: London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Hypothesis
How do provider prescribing practices for malaria vary in the presence and absence of ACT stock?
Conclusion
Provider practices vary based on ACT availability, with increased ACT prescriptions when stock is present, but alternative anti-malarials are still prescribed even when ACT is available.
Supporting Evidence
- ACT prescribing was significantly higher in facilities with ACT stock compared to those without.
- Alternative anti-malarials were prescribed even when ACT was available.
- Prescribing practices improved over time as ACT policies were adopted.
Takeaway
When doctors have the right medicine for malaria, they give it more often, but sometimes they still give other medicines even when they have the right one.
Methodology
A systematic search of published literature was conducted, and data on prescribing practices were extracted from health facility surveys.
Potential Biases
There may be biases due to the limited number of studies and the focus on specific countries.
Limitations
The review is limited by the small number of studies from only three countries and potential publication bias.
Participant Demographics
Studies included patients from public health facilities in Kenya, Uganda, and Zambia.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Confidence Interval
95% Confidence Interval not adjusted for clustering at facility level
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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