Abstract

Objective: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of rapid diagnostic test for diagnosing malaria in children clinically suspected to have malaria. Microscopy was taken as a gold standard.

Study Design: Cross-sectional/Observational

Place and Duration: Conducted in Paediatrics Department of King Abdullah Hospital Mansehra for six months duration from 1st July 2018 to 31st December, 2018.

Methods: One hundred and forty patients of both genders clinically suspected to have malaria with ages up to 12 years were enrolled in this study. Detailed demographics including age, sex, and symptoms were recorded. Rapid diagnostic test was performed and compare the findings with microscopic examination. Microscopy was taken as a gold standard Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and diagnostic accuracy of Rapid diagnostic test were examined. Data was analyzed by SPSS 24.0.

Results: There were 85 (60.71%) male and 55 (39.29%) female patients. 62 (44.29%) patients were ages 0 to 6 years while 78 (55.41%) were ages 7 to 12 years. 80 (57.14%) patients showed positive for malaria by microscopic examination and by rapid diagnostic test 83 (58.57%) had malaria positive. By comparing RDT findings with microscopy the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 96.25%, 90%, 92.77% and 94.74%. The positive likelihood ratio was 9.63 (4.50-20.59). The diagnostic accuracy of RDT was 93.57%.

Conclusion: Rapid diagnostic test is very useful diagnostic tool for diagnosing malaria in children and can be used as an alternate to the microscopic examination.

Keywords: Malaria, Microscopy, Rapid Diagnostic Test, Diagnostic Accuracy.