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Table 4 Analysis of RDT use and learner treatment scenario steps (i) following completion of final training and (ii) 7 months after final training, by individual step

From: Design, implementation and evaluation of a training programme for school teachers in the use of malaria rapid diagnostic tests as part of a basic first aid kit in southern Malawi

   

(% completing step correctly) (n = 15)

 
  

Description of step

End of traininga

7 months post trainingb

Most common error(s)

1

 

Work surface disinfected with alcohol

-

-

Not applicable due to change in training protocol.

2

 

Assembles all required equipment

87

100

 

3

S

Put on new pair of gloves

93

93

 

4

 

Check expiry date of RDT packet

67

80

Did not check.

5

 

Check desiccant sachet is dry

100

67

Did not check.

6

 

Write client name on cassette

80

93

 

7

 

Place cassette on level surface

100

100

 

8

S

Clean finger with alcohol swab

93

93

 

9

 

Allow finger to dry before pricking

100

93

 

10

S

Use sterile lancet to prick finger

93

93

Set down sterile lancet onto surface after removing cap

11

 

Puncture side of ball of the 3rd or 4th finger

100

73

Punctured vertically (i.e. perpendicular to the tip)

12

S

Dispose of lancet immediately after pricking finger

100

87

Used lancet, then set down onto work surface

13

 

Wipes away initial blood from finger

100

93

 

14

A

Uses blood collection device correctly

100

100

 

15

A

Correctly transfer blood to cassette using tool

100

100

 

16

S

Dispose of blood collection tool immediately

100

87

Left blood collection device inserted into sample well.

17

A

Dispenses correct volume of buffer

87

60

Too much buffer added.

18

A

Start the timer immediately after adding buffer

87

60

Did not record time.

19

 

Dispose of non-sharps safely

93

100

 

20a

A

States the correct time to read RDT (RDT test sheet)

100

-

 

20b

A

Waits correct time before reading RDT result

-

27

Waited <5 minutes before reading result.

21

A

Reads test results correctly c

80

100

 

22

T

Completes correct sections of treatment register

87

93

 

23

T

Selects appropriate AL dose based on weight

87

100

Did not record time.

24

T

Selects appropriate paracetamol dose

60

93

 

25

T

Selects correct Parent Information sheet for AL dose

67

40

 

26

T

States correct time for 2nd dose of AL to be taken

47

40

Did not complete information sheet, provided counselling verbally only

  1. aobserved at training venue, bobserved at school, S steps relating to safety of conducting test, A steps relating to accuracy of test, T steps relating to treatment of uncomplicated malaria cThe RDT conducted was also read for the evaluation of this step at the 7 month follow-up in addition to the printed sheet of photographed RDT results used for the evaluation of this step at the end of training