Sampling, randomization and masking
malaria
MALARIA
The 40 health facilities were randomly selected from all eligible health facilities in the participating councils following a 3:2 ratio between health facilities from the Morogoro and Mbeya region (to include more health facilities in the higher malaria transmission area). In addition, to include a representative sample of health centers compared to dispensaries, four health centers per region were included.The sampled health facilities were then randomized (1:1) to ePOCT+ (intervention) or usual care (control). Randomization was stratified by region, council, level of health facility (health center versus dispensary) and attendance rate. An independent statistician in Switzerland was provided with the list of all eligible health facilities and performed computer-generated sampling and randomization. Intervention allocation by the study team was only shared with study investigators in Tanzania once all council leaders had confirmed the participation of their selected health facilities. The nature of the intervention did not allow for masking of the intervention to health-care providers, patients or study implementers.