The role of private health facilities in the provision of malaria case management and prevention services in four zones of Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

Little is known about the contribution of the private health sector in managing malaria cases and contributing to malaria prevention and control efforts in Ethiopia. We assessed 102 private health facilities and 92 drug outlets in 20 districts of Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia, for their provision of malaria-specific services. Of the assessed health facilities 86% provided such services. Diagnosis was largely clinical, with only 31% and 15% of all health facilities seen using rapid diagnostic tests and microscopy, respectively. Facilities had chloroquine, artemether-lumefantrine, quinine and sulfadoxine-pyremethamine. Gaps were seen in provision of guidelines and other malaria-related materials, training of facility staff and supervision. Inclusion of the private health sector in malaria control program is crucial to expand current malaria prevention and control efforts in Ethiopia.