Malaria remains a significant public health issue in Mozambique, affecting millions of people annually. Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are crucial for early detection and prompt treatment. A mixed-methods approach was employed, including quantitative data from RDT test results and qualitative interviews with healthcare providers and patients. Data were collected over a six-month period in urban and rural areas of Mozambique. RDTs showed high sensitivity (95% CI: 80-100) for detecting Plasmodium falciparum infections, indicating excellent diagnostic accuracy. Overuse of RDTs led to a slight increase in unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions, necessitating further training on correct usage. The study underscored the critical role of Malaria RDTs in improving malaria diagnosis and treatment outcomes in Mozambique's health facilities. However, ongoing education is required to ensure proper use. Healthcare providers should be trained extensively on the appropriate use of RDTs, including recognising when additional testing is necessary. A standardised training programme for all facility staff is recommended. Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Tests, Mozambique, Health Facilities, Diagnostic Accuracy Treatment effect was estimated with logit (pᵢ) =₀+^ Xᵢ, and uncertainty reported using confidence-interval based inference.
Mabove et al. (Sat,) studied this question.