The Efficacy of Rapid Diagnostic Test in the Diagnosis of Malaria among Adults as Compared to Microscopy in a Hospital in Imo State, South Eastern Nigeria

摘要

Malaria has been noted to be one of the most prevalent diseases affecting mankind. Diagnosis is based on clinical assessment using microscopy and recently by rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). The objective of this study was to ascertain the efficacy of RDT to microscopy in the identification of malaria parasite among adults attending a hospital in Owerri, Imo State. A cross-sectional study was carried out using 110 consenting outpatients of a hospital in Imo state, Nigeria. Results of the study showed that more respondents were females 63 (57.3%). Microscopy was positive in 97.3% (107) patients, and RDT was positive in 100% (32) of the adult, while 2.7% of those negative by microscopy were also negative with RDT. There was no significant difference when the accuracy of both tests was compared (P = 0.261, χ2 = 1.262). The RDT used had a sensitivity of 29.9%, a specificity of 100%. The positive predictive value was 100% and the negative predictive value 3.85%. The microscopy performance was extremely high compared to RDT in the diagnosis of malaria in adults. Microscopy is recommended, if available to be done for all patients suspected of having malaria with negative RDT in other not to miss out people with the disease as it remains the gold standard for malaria diagnosis.