Operational feasibility of appropriate radical cure of Plasmodium vivax with tafenoquine or primaquine after semi-quantitative G6PD testing in Ethiopia: a mixed methods study

Abstract

Primaquine (PQ) and tafenoquine (TQ) can be used for the radical cure (RC) of P. vivax malaria. PQ requires a 14-day dose, compared to a single-day dose for TQ, which is likely to improve patient adherence to the treatment. However, a significant safety concern with both TQ and PQ is the high risk of acute hemolytic anemia (AHA) in individuals with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. WHO recommends that “the G6PD status of patients should be used to guide administration of PQ & TQ for preventing relapse. The aim of the study is to investigate whether it is operationally feasible to provide appropriate radical cure (RC) treatment after semi-quantitative G6PD testing to P. vivax patients who are eligible for RC based on the national treatment guidelines