HB_Time_Delays_Malaria_REF.PDF (16.77 MB)
Time delays in the diagnosis and treatment of malaria in non-endemic countries: a systematic review
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 11:47 authored by Hamad Bastaki, Jessica Carter, Louise Marston, Jackie Cassell, Greta RaitBackground Delays in diagnosis and treatment for malaria are associated with an increased risk for severe disease and mortality. Identifying the extent of patient and health system delay can provide a benchmark against which interventions to reduce delays can be measured. Methods We performed an electronic search in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and LILACS for studies reporting time to diagnosis and treatment after return from travel, onset of symptoms and seeking healthcare in non-endemic countries. Additionally, theses, conference proceedings and nationally reported surveillance data were also searched for information on time delays. There were no language restrictions and all the studies were assessed for methodological quality. Results Data from 69 papers out of 1719 identified records published between 2005 and 2017 were extracted; our findings show that median diagnosis delays of four or more days are common and patient delays accounted for a large proportion of diagnostic delay. There were limited data available on medical diagnostic delay. Conclusion Patient delays accounted for a large proportion of the overall diagnostic delay; however the retrospective nature of the studies could have overestimated patient delay since previous healthcare contacts were not included. Additionally, the high frequency of studies reporting a clinically significant delay is a major concern.
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Accepted version
Journal
Travel Medicine and Infectious DiseaseISSN
1477-8939Publisher
ElsevierExternal DOI
Volume
21Page range
21-27Department affiliated with
- Primary Care and Public Health Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2018-01-26First Open Access (FOA) Date
2018-12-07First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2018-01-26Usage metrics
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