title: Diagnostic approaches to malaria in Zambia, 2009-2014.
abstract: Malaria is an important health burden in Zambia with proper diagnosis remaining as one of the biggest challenges. The need for reliable diagnostics is being addressed through the introduction of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). However, without sufficient laboratory amenities in many parts of the country, diagnosis often still relies on non-specific, clinical symptoms. In this study, geographical information systems were used to both visualize and analyze the spatial distribution and the risk factors related to the diagnosis of malaria. The monthly reported, district-level number of malaria cases from January 2009 to December 2014 were collected from the National Malaria Control Center (NMCC). Spatial statistics were used to reveal cluster tendencies that were subsequently linked to possible risk factors, using a non-spatial regression model. Significant, spatio-temporal clusters of malaria were spotted while the introduction of RDTs made the number of clinically diagnosed malaria cases decrease by 33% from 2009 to 2014. The limited access to road network(s) was found to be associated with higher levels of malaria, which can be traced by the expansion of health promotion interventions by the NMCC, indicating enhanced diagnostic capability. The capacity of health facilities has been strengthened with the increased availability of proper diagnostic tools and through retraining of community health workers. To further enhance spatial decision support systems, a multifaceted approach is required to ensure mobilization and availability of human, infrastructural and technological resources. Surveillance based on standardized geospatial or other analytical methods should be used by program managers to design, target, monitor and assess the spatio-temporal dynamics of malaria diagnostic resources country-wide.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Copperbelt University, Ndola. vmukonka@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Victor M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Mukonka
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chanda
authors.forename: Mulakwa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kamuliwo
authors.forename: Maha A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Elbadry
authors.forename: Pauline K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Wamulume
authors.forename: Mercy
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mwanza-Ingwe
authors.forename: Jailos
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lubinda
authors.forename: Lindsey A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Laytner
authors.forename: Wenyi
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mushinge
authors.forename: Ubydul
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Haque
mesh_terms: D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010274:Parasitology / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D062206:Spatial Analysis; D015024:Zambia / Q000453:epidemiology