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Concerns about covert HIV testing are associated with delayed presentation of suspected malaria in Ethiopian children: a cross-sectional study

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posted on 2023-06-08, 20:05 authored by Yusuf Haji, Wakgari Deressa, Gail DaveyGail Davey, Andrew W Fogarty
BACKGROUND Early diagnosis is important in preventing mortality from malaria. The hypothesis that guardians' fear of covert human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing delays presentation of children with suspected malaria was tested. METHODS The study design is a cross-sectional survey. The study population consisted of guardians of children with suspected malaria who presented to health centres in Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Data were collected on attitudes to HIV testing and the duration of children's symptoms using interview administered questionnaires. RESULTS Some 830 individuals provided data representing a response rate of 99% of eligible participants. Of these, 423 (51%) guardians perceived that HIV testing was routinely done on blood donated for malaria diagnosis, and 353 (43%) were aware of community members who delayed seeking medical advice because of these concerns. Children whose guardians suspected that blood was covertly tested for HIV had longer median delay to presentation for evaluation at health centres compared to those children whose guardians did not hold this belief (three days compared to two days, p < 0.001). Children whose guardians were concerned about covert HIV testing were at a higher odds of a prolonged delay before being seen at a health centre (odds ratio 1.73, 95% confidence intervals: 1.10 to 270 for a delay of = 3 days compared to those seen in = 2 days). CONCLUSION Children whose guardians believed that covert testing for HIV was routine clinical practice presented later for investigation of suspected malaria. This may account for up to 14% of the delay in presentation and represents a reversible risk factor for suboptimal management of malaria.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

Malaria Journal

ISSN

1475-2875

Publisher

BioMed Central

Volume

13

Page range

301

Department affiliated with

  • Global Health and Infection Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2015-02-19

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2015-02-19

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2015-02-19

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