Table 4 Predictors of malaria overtreatment (prescription of ACT to patients without confirmed malaria) (N = 1,390)

Patient

Male sex

1.27

[1.00, 1.60]

0.046

1.10

[0.92, 1.30]

0.276

Spontaneous complaint to provider of:

  Fever

2.64

[2.08, 3.33]

<0.0001

2.10

[1.71, 2.58]

<0.0001

  Cough

1.18

[0.90, 1.56]

0.233

  Vomiting

1.74

[1.28, 2.38]

0.001

1.43

[1.20, 1.71]

<0.0001

  Chills

1.67

[1.32, 2.12]

<0.0001

1.66

[1.34, 2.04]

<0.0001

  Fatigue

0.35

[0.13, 0.93]

0.036

0.38

[0.19, 0.77]

0.008

Age <5 years

1.82

[1.30, 2.57]

0.001

1.13

[0.91, 1.41]

0.258

High temperature (≥37.5°C) according to exit interview

1.87

[1.52, 2.29]

<0.0001

1.37

[1.13, 1.66]

0.001

Health provider

Female health worker

1.32

[0.86, 2.03]

0.20

Type of clinician

  Medical officer/doctor/clinical officer

[Reference]

[Reference]

[Reference]

  Medical assistant

3.75

[0.93, 15.16]

0.063

3.63

[0.93, 14.17]

0.063

  Nurse

4.39

[1.01, 19.06]

0.048

3.99

[0.98, 16.24]

0.053

Copy of current malaria treatment guidelines

0.86

[0.60, 1.24]

0.424

Malaria-specific training

1.20

[0.70, 2.06]

0.514

Supervision in previous 6 months

0.89

[0.53, 1.48]

0.653

Health facility

Type of facility

  District hospital

[Reference]

[Reference]

[Reference]

  Health centre

3.21

[0.95, 10.92]

0.061

  Community hospital

2.16

[0.60, 7.78]

0.234

AL in stock for full day

0.87

[0.55, 1.40]

0.572

Thermometer present

1.02

[0.60, 1.73]

0.940

Functional microscopy

0.76

[0.44, 1.30]

0.311

CHAM-operated facility

1.31

[0.83, 2.07]

0.242

Region

Region

  Northern

[Reference]

[Reference]

[Reference]

  Central

1.26

[0.63, 2.52]

0.515

  Southern

1.28

[0.78, 2.10]

0.328