OBJECTIVES: Situational analysis of lymphatic filariasis (LF) morbidity and its management in Ahanta West, Ghana, to identify potential barrier to healthcare for LF patients. METHODS: Lymphoedema and hydrocoele patients were identified by community health workers from a subset of villages, and were interviewed and participated in focus group discussions to determine their attitudes and practices towards managing their morbidity, and their perceived barriers to accessing care. Local health professionals were also interviewed to obtain their views on the availability of morbidity management services in the district. RESULTS: Sixty-two patients (34 lymphoedema and 28 hydrocoeles) and 13 local health professionals were included in the study. Lymphoedema patients predominantly self-managed their conditions, which included washing with soap and water (61.8%), and exercising the affected area (52.9%). Almost 65% of patients had sought medical assistance at some stage, but support was generally limited to receiving tablets (91%). Local health professionals reported rarely seeing lymphoedema patients, citing stigma and lack of provisions to assist patients as a reason for this. Almost half of hydrocoele patients (44%) chose not to seek medical assistance despite the negative impact it had on their lives. Whilst surgery itself is free with national health insurance, 63% those who had not sought treatment stated that indirect costs of surgery (travel costs, loss of earnings, etc.) were the most prohibitive factor to seeking treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The information obtained from this study should now be used to guide future morbidity strategies in building a stronger relationship between the local health services and LF patients, to ultimately improve patients' physical, psychological and economic wellbeing.
OBJECTIVES: Situational analysis of lymphatic filariasis (LF) morbidity and its management in Ahanta West, Ghana, to identify potential barrier to healthcare for LF patients. METHODS: Lymphoedema and hydrocoele patients were identified by community health workers from a subset of villages, and were interviewed and participated in focus group discussions to determine their attitudes and practices towards managing their morbidity, and their perceived barriers to accessing care. Local health professionals were also interviewed to obtain their views on the availability of morbidity management services in the district. RESULTS: Sixty-two patients (34 lymphoedema and 28 hydrocoeles) and 13 local health professionals were included in the study. Lymphoedema patients predominantly self-managed their conditions, which included washing with soap and water (61.8%), and exercising the affected area (52.9%). Almost 65% of patients had sought medical assistance at some stage, but support was generally limited to receiving tablets (91%). Local health professionals reported rarely seeing lymphoedema patients, citing stigma and lack of provisions to assist patients as a reason for this. Almost half of hydrocoele patients (44%) chose not to seek medical assistance despite the negative impact it had on their lives. Whilst surgery itself is free with national health insurance, 63% those who had not sought treatment stated that indirect costs of surgery (travel costs, loss of earnings, etc.) were the most prohibitive factor to seeking treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The information obtained from this study should now be used to guide future morbidity strategies in building a stronger relationship between the local health services and LF patients, to ultimately improve patients' physical, psychological and economic wellbeing.
Authors: Ulrich F Prodjinotho; Charlotte von Horn; Alex Y Debrah; Linda Batsa Debrah; Anna Albers; Laura E Layland; Achim Hoerauf; Tomabu Adjobimey Journal: PLoS Negl Trop Dis Date: 2017-07-24
Authors: Emmanuella Bema Twumasi; Pearl Ihuoma Akazue; Kwaku Kyeremeh; Theresa Manful Gwira; Jennifer Keiser; Fidelis Cho-Ngwa; Adrian Flint; Barbara Anibea; Emmanuel Yeboah Bonsu; Richard K Amewu; Linda Eva Amoah; Regina Appiah-Opong; Dorcas Osei-Safo Journal: PLoS Negl Trop Dis Date: 2020-12-31
Authors: Joseph Pryce; Hayley E Mableson; Ramesh Choudhary; Basu Dev Pandey; Dambar Aley; Hannah Betts; Charles D Mackenzie; Louise A Kelly-Hope; Hugh Cross Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2018-01-30 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Larry Sawers; Eileen Stillwaggon; John Chiphwanya; Square Z Mkwanda; Hannah Betts; Sarah Martindale; Louise A Kelly-Hope Journal: PLoS Negl Trop Dis Date: 2020-03-25