Field Study of Malaria Laboratory Testing using Mobile Telephones


Reporting Organization:Amref Health Africa in Canada
Total Budget ($CAD):$ Unspecified
Timeframe: March 31, 2017 - September 30, 2018
Status: Completion
Contact Information: Unspecified

Partner & Funder Profiles


Reporting Organization


Amref Health Africa in Canada

Participating Organizations


Funders (Total Budget Contribution)


Unspecified

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Location


Country - Total Budget Allocation


Kenya - $ 0 (100%)

Region - Total Budget Allocation


Sub-Saharan Africa - $ 0

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Areas of Focus


Health - Total Budget Allocation


Reproductive Health & Rights incl. Maternal Health (50 %)

Infectious & Communicable Diseases (25 %)

Primary Health Care (25 %)

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Description


This project is implemented by Amref Health Africa in partnership with Mobile Malaria Labs (MOMALA) – a social enterprise start-up based in the Netherlands. The aim of the project is to tackle malaria and improve the health of mothers and their children in Homa Bay and Kwale counties in Kenya. Funded by Grand Challenges Canada as part of the Stars in Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health initiative, this 12-month project will explore ways in which new technology can increase the capacity of laboratories and improve the accuracy of malaria diagnosis.

The project will introduce an affordable, easy-to-use and reliable method of diagnosing malaria based on microscopy and a specially designed mobile phone app developed by MOMALA.

Available on android platforms, the app uses a proprietary algorithm which is intended to diagnose malaria including the type, stage and severity of the disease from a microscopic image of a blood film with an intended accuracy of a Level One certified microscopy expert as to WHO standards, essentially turning a smartphone into a malaria diagnostic tool. MOMALA’s app reduces the time spent by laboratory technicians in diagnosis and provides more accurate result than other current malaria diagnostic tests available in clinical settings, at comparable prices. Increasing access to early, accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment will reduce the impact of the disease and decrease mortality rates due to malaria. In addition, improved diagnosis will reduce the unnecessary consumption of medicines which in turn will also reduce the cost of purchasing medicines.

The intervention will support both the Ministry of Health and Amref Health Africa’s efforts to prevent and control malaria.

The key objectives of the project are as follows:

1.tTo compare the accuracy of the app to both field microscopy and expert microscopy in malaria parasite detection, species identification and parasite density over a three-month period in six field sites at three levels of the health laboratory system (two county hospitals, two sub-county hospitals and two health centres) in two malaria endemic locations in Kenya. The reference standard for all examinations will be the results of examinations conducted by Level One certified microscopists.

2.tTo measure the consistency of performance of field microscopists at different times of day over a three-month period in six field sites at three levels of the health laboratory system (two county hospitals, two sub-county hospitals and two health centres) in two malaria endemic locations in Kenya. The times of day of each blood slide examination conducted by laboratory staff will be recorded to evaluate the effects of fatigue or night shift work; and performance compared to the app which is expected to provide consistent performance at all times.

3.tTo compare the average time taken to read a blood film by the app compared to field microscopists in six field sites at three levels of the health laboratory system (two county hospitals, two sub-county hospitals and two health centres) in two malaria endemic locations in Kenya over a three-month period.

Sequential patients of all ages and both genders referred for malaria testing by the resident clinician will be included in the study over a 3-month period. At least 300 patients from each site will be included in the study. Blood films prepared at each site will be subjected to the usual examination by field microscopists and examination by the app, and stored for later examination by Level One microscopists. The results of blood film examination, time taken and time of day by the field microcopist will be recorded manually; the app will automatically record time taken, results and time of day. The final examination by the Level One microscopist will be recorded manually. The results of all three parameters from the six sites will be compared and analyzed statistically.

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Target Population


Gender and age: Adult women Adult men Adolescent females Adolescent males Children, girls Children, boys Under-5 children Newborns Older adults, women Older adults, men
Total Direct Population: Unspecified
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Outputs


Unspecified

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Results & Indicators


Expected Results


Ultimate Outcome: Reduced maternal, newborn and child mortality due to malaria in Homa Bay and Kwale counties in Kenya

Intermediate Outcomes: Improved capacity of laboratories to accurately diagnose malaria

Achieved Results


Unspecified

Indicators


  • None Selected
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Associated Projects (If applicable)


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