This document provides guidance on the ACTwatch project, study design and data for all potential users of ACTwatch files.
Started in 2008, ACTwatch was intended to fill evidence gaps
related to malaria diagnostics, antimalarial medicines and fever case
management in the private and public sectors. ACTwatch collected data to inform
evidence-based malaria control policies and programmes. ACTwatch was a PSI
research project in partnership with LSHTM.
ACTwatch measured nationally representative surveys to all
public and private health outlets within selected regions, across a total of 12
countries in sub-Saharan Africa and the Greater Mekong Sub-region and multiple
years.
Outlet Surveys monitored trends in the availability,
volumes, and prices of antimalarials in the public and private sectors, which
included the informal sector. All outlet types with the potential to sell antimalarials
were included, from hospitals to private pharmacies to street hawkers.
The collection and processing of these data provided sound
evidence for country-specific policy recommendations. The use of standardized
indicators allowed for broad trends to be identified and global policy
recommendations to be implemented into policy and action.