Table 5 Disadvantages of blood RDT codes
Disadvantages of blood RDT codes | Representative quote |
|---|---|
Detection inaccuracies (false negatives/high detection threshold) | The test was good, but you will see that even if someone is sick the test can be negative or if the person has malaria you have to go deeper by doing a thick blood smear to see that malaria is present, so we the medical professionals we believe that even if the RDT is negative, we still administer the malaria medicine as far as we have some clinical evidence |
Inefficient/slow results | I would like to add this: this examination, as (the director) has just said, if blood is taken, the test result is not given on the spot; you will see that if you are tested in the morning, you have to come back in the afternoon |
Supply/availability concerns | We have experienced enormous difficulties with the renewal of stocks/supplies, absence at the market level despite the availability of money. The moment the need arises, the Central Office of the Health Zone or the partners will make you wait (for the RDT) |
Uncomfortable/painful | (The RDT) requires the (finger) prick and that's what's painful, especially for children. This pain leads some people to avoid malaria RDT testing |
Unsanitary/contamination risk | The needle or blood is also dangerous for the caregivers with the risk of self-contamination |