Table 3 Select indicators and survey questions included in the malaria elimination readiness score by domain for MERA survey

Domain 1: Resource availability

Diagnostic capacity

Malaria RDTs in stock^a

Able to diagnose P. vivax^b

Essential medicines

Either ACT or oral quinine in stock^a

Either injectable artesunate or quinine in stock^a

Primaquine in stock^a

Other commodities

Thermometer available^a

Infant weighing scale available^a

Stand-on scale available^a

Guidelines

Copy of National Malaria Guidelines available^a

CHV testing and diagnosis

Thermometer available^c

RDT currently available^c

ACT currently available^c

No stock-outs in past 3 months^c

Stock management system

Stock management system being used^a,c

Domain 2: Case management

CHV patient population

CHV treats children ≤ 5 years with fever^c

Identifying criteria for testing for malaria

HP identifies criteria for testing for malaria^b

CHV identifies criteria for testing for malaria^c

HP elicits fever complaint^d

HP takes patient’s temperature^d

HP performs RDT in patient with fever complaint^d

Test and treating practices

RDTs performed for reported fever in absence of current fever^c,d

Patients not treated without testing^b

ACT given for positive RDT^c

Management of uncomplicated malaria

HPs use appropriate anti-malarials^b

CHVs follow-up with patients after treatment^c

Accessing high risk populations

CHVs assess travel history and encourage pregnant women to seek care^c

SBC activities

Malaria education is performed in the community^a,c

Domain 3: Data management and use

Data reporting

Case data records are maintained^c

Data are reported to HFs^c

Data analysis

Standard operating procedures (SOP) available for data analysis^a

Data reviewed monthly^a

Data used to make decisions^a

Case location can be mapped geographically^a

Data quality

Cases classified as confirmed or clinical^a

Cases can be followed across registers^a

Data quality measures in place^a,c

Data quality is monitored^a

Monthly summary reports are maintained^c

Epidemic response

Actions are undertaken in the event of increase in cases above expected^a,c

Domain 4: Training, supervision and technical assistance

Training

HFs and CHVs report receiving training on various malaria activities and data management^a,b,c

Supervision

HFs and CHVs report receiving supervision visit in the last 6 months^a,c

Feedback

HFs and CHVs report receiving feedback on data^a,c

Technical assistance

HFs and CHVs report receiving technical assistance from higher level if requested^a,c

HFs and CHVs report receiving guidance on malaria outbreak response^a,c