National and sub-national variation in patterns of febrile case management in sub-Saharan Africa
Year: 2018
Type: article
Abstract: Given national healthcare coverage gaps, understanding treatment-seeking behaviour for fever is crucial for the management of childhood illness and to reduce deaths. Here, we conduct a modelling study triangulating household survey data for fever in children under the age of five years with georeferenced public health facility databases (n = 86,442 facilities) in 29 countries across sub-Saharan Africa, to estimate the probability of seeking treatment for fever at public facilities. A Bayesian item response theory framework is used to estimate this probability based on reported fever episodes, treatment choice, residence, and estimated travel-time to the nearest public-sector health facility. Findings show inter- and intra-country variation, with the likelihood of seeking treatment for fever less than 50% in 16 countries. Results highlight the need to invest in public healthcare and related databases. The variation in public sector use illustrates the need to include such modelling in future infectious disease burden estimation.
Source: Nature Communications
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $6,990
Awards: Spatial data science for seasonal malaria risk mapping at sub-national levels in Kenya, G3335384288, Initiative to Develop African Research Leaders (IDeAL), The malaria transition in East Africa., G534978361, The malaria transition in East Africa., Identifying sub-national disparities and determinants of under-five mortality in Kenya 1990-2020, The University of Southampton - to construct high resolution spatial estimates of demographic characteristics and mobility patterns of populations in resource poor settings, G6112810876, G6712238403, High resolution global mapping of women of childbearing age, pregnancies and births for Zika burden estimation., Spatial data science for seasonal malaria risk mapping at sub-national levels in Kenya, Seasonal drivers of human movement and aggregation in a changing climate: consequences for infectious disease dynamics and control, G7809589721, G7957349885, Core Support for the East African Major Overseas Programme, G8266581210, Identifying sub-national disparities and determinants of under-five mortality in Kenya 1990-2020, G8618140323
OpenAlex ID: W2901299564