Increasing malaria diagnosis in the private sector in Tanzania

Expanding access to parasite-based malaria diagnosis through retail drug shops in Tanzania: evidence from a randomized trial and implications for treatment

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN14115509

Enrollment

1500

Registered

2016-07-07

Start date

2013-03-01

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2017-02-06

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Malaria Infections and Infestations Malaria

Interventions

Districts are assigned to one of three study arms via a random number generator. Intervention arm 1: All certified ADDO dispensers are offered RDT stocking and performance training, and those who su

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: ADDO dispenser inclusion criteria: 1. A certified ADDO dispenser in Kilosa or Kilombero District 2. Attended and passed the two-day RDT training Survey participants (exit interview): 1. 18 years or older unless accompanied by a parent, guardian, or family member 18 years or older 2. A patient presenting at the ADDO with fever, suspected malaria, or wishing to purchase an RDT or antimalarial OR 3. A customer at an ADDO wishing to purchase an antimalarial for someone else

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: ADDO dispenser exclusion criteria 1. An ADDO employee who is not a certified ADDO dispenser in Kilosa or Kilombero District 2. Any ADDO employee in Mvomero District Survey participants (exit interview): 1. A patient presenting at the ADDO with symptoms of severe illness or reasons other than fever, suspected malaria, or wishing to purchase an RDT or antimalarial 2. A customer at an ADDO wishing to purchase something other than for fever or suspected malaria 3. Children under 18 years old and unaccompanied by a parent, guardian, or family member 18 years or older

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Blood-based diagnosis of malaria rate is measured by the percentage of suspected malaria customers that received an RDT in an ADDO at baseline and 13 months.	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
1. Availability of blood-based diagnostic tests is measured by the percentage of ADDOs with a trained dispenser and RDTs in stock at baseline and 13 months 2. Positive adherence is measured by the percentage of customers who tested positive with an RDT and also purchased an artemisinin-combination therapy (ACT) at baseline and 13 months 3. Negative adherence is measured by the percentage of customers who tested negative with an RDT and also purchased an artemisinin-combination therapy (ACT) at baseline and 13 months 4. Affordability is measured by reported price paid for an RDT at baseline and 13 months 5. RDT performance safety is measured using a 17-point checklist at 1, 4, 8, and 13 months 6. RDT disposal safety is measured by the percentage of shops disposing of waste at a public health facility at 1, 4, 8, and 13 months	—

Measure

Time frame

1. Availability of blood-based diagnostic tests is measured by the percentage of ADDOs with a trained dispenser and RDTs in stock at baseline and 13 months 2. Positive adherence is measured by the percentage of customers who tested positive with an RDT and also purchased an artemisinin-combination therapy (ACT) at baseline and 13 months 3. Negative adherence is measured by the percentage of customers who tested negative with an RDT and also purchased an artemisinin-combination therapy (ACT) at baseline and 13 months 4. Affordability is measured by reported price paid for an RDT at baseline and 13 months 5. RDT performance safety is measured using a 17-point checklist at 1, 4, 8, and 13 months 6. RDT disposal safety is measured by the percentage of shops disposing of waste at a public health facility at 1, 4, 8, and 13 months

—

Countries

Tanzania

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Mar 11, 2026