Presumptive self-diagnosis of malaria and other febrile illnesses in Sierra Leone

Presumptive self-diagnosis of malaria and other febrile illnesses in Sierra Leone

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INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of self-diagnosis of malaria and other febrile illnesses in Bo, Sierra Leone.METHODS: All households in two neighboring sections of Bo were invited to participate in a cross-sectional survey.RESULTS: A total of 882 households (an 85% participation rate) that were home to 5410 individuals participated in the awid sr-2400 study.Of the 910 individuals reported to have had what the household considered to be malaria in the past month, only 41% were diagnosed by a healthcare professional or a laboratory test.Of the 1402 individuals reported to have had any type of febrile illness within the past six months, only 34% had sought a clinical or laboratory diagnosis.

Self-diagnosis of influenza, yellow fever, typhoid, and pneumonia was also common.CONCLUSION: Self-diagnosis and presumptive treatment with antimalarial drugs and other antibiotic medications that are readily available without a prescription may compromise health outcomes for femigrow capsules febrile adults and children.