Abstract
BackgroundReactive case detection (RACD) and foci investigation are key strategies in malaria elimination and prevention of its re-establishment. They are a key part of surveillance that has been recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to be considered as a core intervention and as one of the three pillars of the Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016–2030.MethodsA search using the key words “Reactive Case Detection”, “RACD”, “RCD” and “Malaria” was carried out in PubMed, Scopus, Taylor and Francis online databases for studies published until 31st July 2019. The inclusion criteria for selection of articles for review included (1) how RACD is implemented in each country; (2) challenges faced in RACD implementation; (3) suggestions on how the effectiveness of RACD process can be improved.Results411 titles were identified, 41 full text articles were screened and 29 were found eligible for inclusion in the review. Published literature on RACD, and case and foci investigations has mostly assessed the process of the activity. Most studies have documented that the yield of positives in RACD has been highest in the index case’s household and the immediate neighbourhood of the index case. Microscopy and RDTs are the common tests used in RACD. The guidelines for case and foci investigation, and RACD and PACD, are not universally adopted and are country-specific. Some of the limitations and challenges identified include lack of proper guidelines, logistic issues and problems with public compliance.ConclusionsAlthough there is no documented evidence that RACD is useful in malaria elimination settings, most authors have opined that RACD is necessary for malaria elimination. Lack of knowledge in the target populations, a target radius and how to carry out the RACD process is a major challenge in the decision-making process.
Highlights
Reactive case detection (RACD) and foci investigation are key strategies in malaria elimination and prevention of its re-establishment
Active Case Detection (ACD) in malaria elimination settings can be of two types: (1) Proactive Case Detection (PACD), and (2) Reactive Case Detection (RACD or RCD)
Among countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), 5 studies were related to the 1-3-7 strategy followed by China, one study was related to the RACD techniques in Myanmar, 3 studies were from Cambodia, and one study was from Viet Nam (Table 1)
Summary
Reactive case detection (RACD) and foci investigation are key strategies in malaria elimination and prevention of its re-establishment. They are a key part of surveillance that has been recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to be considered as a core intervention and as one of the three pillars of the Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016–2030. Active Case Detection (ACD) is defined as the detection by health workers of malaria infections at community and household level in population groups that are considered to be at high risk. Proactive case detection involves screening high risk populations without the trigger of a passively detected case [4]. Countries engage in a wide variety of activities that they consider to fall within the scope of their ACD strategy, and may include PACD and/or RACD [4, 7]
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