Capacity and Policy Change in Managing Human African Trypanosomiasis in Endemic Rural Districts of Eastern Zambia

Abstract

Abstract:Background: Capacity to diagnose Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) Materials and Methods: Structured questionnaires were used to collect information from 110 health personnel drawn from 23 RHCs in a cross sectional comparative study undertaken between April and July 2013. Stata/SE version 11.0 was used to analyze collected data Results: The study reviewed missed opportunities to detect HAT compared to malaria cases between Chama and Mambwe districts (P=0.027). Staff from both districts had preference to detect fever related conditions rather than HAT as reviewed in the direction of most Government and private support (P=0.007). Staff from Chama district were less likely to miss HAT cases compared to their Mambwe counterparts (P<0.001) due to previous reported cases. Conclusion:RHCs lack the capacity to manage HAT as compared to other priority conditions which direct critical review of HAT management and health priorities