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Research
Mesele Damte Argaw
JSI Research and Training Institute Inc
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9558-6619
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BackgroundsMalaria is one of the most important public health problems in Ethiopia contributing to significant patient morbidity and mortality. Prompt diagnosis and effective malaria case management through public, private and community health facilities has been one of the key malaria prevention, control and elimination strategies. The objective of this study was to evaluate adult malaria patients and healthcare providers’ perception of the quality of malaria management at private sector outpatient facilities.
MethodsAn exploratory, descriptive, contextual and qualitative research methodology was conducted with 101 participants ( 33 in-depth interviews (INIs) and ten focus group discussions (FGDs) with 68 participants). All interview and focus group discussions were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed, using eight steps of Tesch (1990).
Results During data analysis a single theme, two categories and six sub-categories emerged, namely (1) perceived quality of malaria management at outpatient facilities; (a) essential resources; (a1) safe outpatient services; (a2) anti-malaria drugs and supplies; (a3) health workers; (b) factors influencing service utilisation; (b1) physical accessibility; (b2) “art of care’’; and (b3) efficient malaria diagnosis and treatment services. Both FGDs and INIs participants had a positive perception of the quality of malaria outpatient services at private health facilities. The positive perceptions include safe and clean facility; availability of supplies and comprehensive services; convenient working hours; short waiting hours and motivated, competent and compassionate health workers. However, some participants raised their safety concerns due to perceived poor infection control practices, small working areas, interruption of antimalaria supplies and inefficient malaria diagnosis and treatment services. Conclusion Both community members and healthcare providers had more positive perceptions towards outpatient malaria services offered at private health facilities. However, positive behaviour must be maintained and concerns must be dealt with by enhancing functional public private partnership for malaria care services to improve private sector malaria case management; build the service providers’ capacity; ensure uninterrupted anti-malaria supplies and empower the community with early health seeking behaviour.
Keywords
Perception, Community, Malaria, Outpatient Malaria Services, Quality, Public Private Partnership, Formal Private Sector
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CURRENT STATUS: Published
View the published article at Malaria Journal.
Version 2
Posted 18 Jan, 2021
No community comments so far
Review #1 received
Received 20 Jan, 2021
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 10 Jan, 2021
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 08 Jan, 2021
Editor assigned
On 07 Jan, 2021
Submission checks complete
On 07 Jan, 2021
Editor invited
On 07 Jan, 2021
Community comments: 6
Review #2 received
Received 08 Dec, 2020
Editorial decision: Major Revision
On 08 Dec, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 24 Aug, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 24 Jul, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 23 Jun, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 13 Jun, 2020
Editor assigned
On 27 May, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 26 May, 2020
Editor invited
On 26 May, 2020
First submitted
On 24 May, 2020
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
Subject Areas
Infectious Diseases
Learn more about our company.
A new preprint design is coming!
We have improved readability, clarity, accessibility, and opportunities for engagement.
See the published version of this preprint at Malaria Journal.
This is a preprint, a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Learn more about In Review
Research
Mesele Damte Argaw
JSI Research and Training Institute Inc
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9558-6619
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Published
View the published article at Malaria Journal.
Version 2
Posted 18 Jan, 2021
No community comments so far
Review #1 received
Received 20 Jan, 2021
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 10 Jan, 2021
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 08 Jan, 2021
Editor assigned
On 07 Jan, 2021
Submission checks complete
On 07 Jan, 2021
Editor invited
On 07 Jan, 2021
Community comments: 6
Review #2 received
Received 08 Dec, 2020
Editorial decision: Major Revision
On 08 Dec, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 24 Aug, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 24 Jul, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 23 Jun, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 13 Jun, 2020
Editor assigned
On 27 May, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 26 May, 2020
Editor invited
On 26 May, 2020
First submitted
On 24 May, 2020
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
Subject Areas
Infectious Diseases
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
View the published article at Malaria Journal.
BackgroundsMalaria is one of the most important public health problems in Ethiopia contributing to significant patient morbidity and mortality. Prompt diagnosis and effective malaria case management through public, private and community health facilities has been one of the key malaria prevention, control and elimination strategies. The objective of this study was to evaluate adult malaria patients and healthcare providers’ perception of the quality of malaria management at private sector outpatient facilities.
MethodsAn exploratory, descriptive, contextual and qualitative research methodology was conducted with 101 participants ( 33 in-depth interviews (INIs) and ten focus group discussions (FGDs) with 68 participants). All interview and focus group discussions were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed, using eight steps of Tesch (1990).
Results During data analysis a single theme, two categories and six sub-categories emerged, namely (1) perceived quality of malaria management at outpatient facilities; (a) essential resources; (a1) safe outpatient services; (a2) anti-malaria drugs and supplies; (a3) health workers; (b) factors influencing service utilisation; (b1) physical accessibility; (b2) “art of care’’; and (b3) efficient malaria diagnosis and treatment services. Both FGDs and INIs participants had a positive perception of the quality of malaria outpatient services at private health facilities. The positive perceptions include safe and clean facility; availability of supplies and comprehensive services; convenient working hours; short waiting hours and motivated, competent and compassionate health workers. However, some participants raised their safety concerns due to perceived poor infection control practices, small working areas, interruption of antimalaria supplies and inefficient malaria diagnosis and treatment services. Conclusion Both community members and healthcare providers had more positive perceptions towards outpatient malaria services offered at private health facilities. However, positive behaviour must be maintained and concerns must be dealt with by enhancing functional public private partnership for malaria care services to improve private sector malaria case management; build the service providers’ capacity; ensure uninterrupted anti-malaria supplies and empower the community with early health seeking behaviour.
Figure 1
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