title: Impact of an Intervention to Minimize Overdiagnosis of Malaria Cases in a Low Risk Kenyan sub-County.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Overdiagnosis of malaria cases hampers malaria control in developing countries. Due to lack of diagnostics, febrile cases are treated using signs and symptoms. We evaluated an intervention to minimize overdiagnosis in Ijara sub-County, Kenya.
  
  
  METHODS
  Health workers were trained on case management and rapid diagnostic tests provided in late 2011. Malaria outpatient morbidity was assessed a year before and after the intervention coupled with data on rapid diagnostic tests consumption.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The number of diagnosed malaria cases decreased from 15,615 in 2011 to 1,892 in 2012. This represents an 87.8% decrease. There was a significant difference in number of diagnosed monthly malaria cases during the pre-intervention (Mean = 1,299, SD = 550.4) and post-intervention periods (Mean = 158, SD = 160.9, t (12.9) = 6.9, p =.000, two tailed). Mean monthly consumption of rapid diagnostic tests was 730, with 5.2% testing positive.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This intervention reduced overdiagnosis and overtreatment of malaria cases.
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Njuguna
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Menge
authors: Joseph
authors: J
authors: Nzou
authors: Charles
authors: C
authors: Chege
mesh_terms: D019090:Case Management; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya; D008288:Malaria / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D000069342:Medical Overuse / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012306:Risk