Determinants of the Perceived Quality of Malaria Diagnostic Services in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Abstract

This study explores the determinants of perceived quality of malaria diagnostic services in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania using a logit model.  The study uses exit interview data from 600 people who had tested for malaria in 30 health facilities in Dar es Salaam in the year 2020. The estimated results show that age of diagnosticians, type of response to suspected malaria illness, and time of testing for malaria influence perceived quality of malaria diagnostic services. Perception of malaria diagnostic services differ significantly by gender with males being influenced by reliability factors while females are influenced more by accessibility factors. Furthermore, youth were more likely to have a lower perception of quality of malaria diagnostic services. The policy implications are threefold. First, enhancing awareness of importance of testing prior to taking medication via coordinated health education initiatives. Second, emphasis of in-service training to maintain competence of diagnosticians is strongly advocated. Third, perpetual monitoring of diagnostician work hours in order to maintain productivity is required.