Table 2 Thematic summary of challenges in respective areas of study activities
Field based | Poor road networks, unreliable electricity supply Sparse spread out populations Late completion of field work activities and late arrival of samples in the lab Inadequate storage facilities and large volume of supplies |
Health facility based | Periodic stock outs of ALs and RDTs Non adherence to MOH malaria management algorithms Charging user-fees for RDT diagnosis Inadequate office space for use by the study Slow or non-response by the DHMTs on various issues impacting the study Lack of proper records of stocks of RDTs and ACTs |
Technical | Old handheld computers with slow charging, poor power retention and breakdowns Lengthy and arduous data reconciliation process due to wrong handheld computer entries Manual download of handheld computers needing staff presence overnight Long periods of training Long and complex training strategies |
Political | Industrial strike by MOH staff Enactment of new constitution with introduction of new taxes |