Table 2 Care seeker and non-care seeker definitions for malaria testing and treatment

Testing

Care seekers are those who seek microscopy or RDTs to confirm whether they have malaria before any treatment begins, ideally within 24 h of the onset of a fever

They can also use alternative treatments (non-medication) for immediate relief of symptoms, but still seek testing, are still defined as care seekers

Non-care seekers are those who do not seek microscopy or RDTs to confirm whether they have malaria, or miners who continually seek testing services for a desired outcome (e.g. continually testing themselves, hoping they get a positive test result to confirm their suspicion of malaria

Treatment

Care seekers are defined as those who do not self-treat with medication, first use MoPH-approved treatment courses, and adhere completely to the recommended treatment regimen

Those who use additional alternative treatments (non-medication) for immediate relief of symptoms are still defined as care seekers

Non-care seekers are defined as those who only self-treat and do not use approved medication, or do not adhere to the medication prescribed to them from MoPH facilities. Self-treatment includes the use of bush medicine, home remedies, or over-the-counter access to malaria treatment medication. A miner who first self-treats with over-the-counter malaria medication, and then seeks MoPH treatment (after testing positive) first demonstrates non-treatment seeking behavior, followed by treatment-seeking behavior