Role and capacity needs of community based surveillance volunteers in the integrated management of skin neglected tropical diseases (skin NTDs): a qualitative study from central Ghana (original) (raw)
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BMC Public Health, 2021
Background The importance of health policy implementation cannot be overemphasized in contemporary public health. Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) have negatively impacted society, affect quality of life and make the poor societies poorer. Several policies and strategies have been put in place across the world including the neglected tropical diseases programme in Ghana. Though chalked many successes, the programme continues to lag behind in the full attainment of various objectives. Several factors exist that determine how effective a programme is implemented. Identification of these factors on every programme is essential to determine where more programme resources need to be channelled. This study assessed the determinants of successful implementation of the neglected tropical diseases programme in Ghana. Methods A qualitative approach with the case study design was employed. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to identify key programme officers at the national...
BMC Public Health
Background Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a major public health burden which mainly affects poor populations living in tropical environments and hard-to-reach areas. The study sought to examine coverage of preventive efforts, and case surveillance for NTDs in hard-to-reach communities in Ghana. Methods The study investigated treatment efforts for lymphatic filariasis (LF), and onchocerciasis and schistosomiasis/soil transmitted helminths (SCH/STH) at household level, in difficult-to-access communities in Ghana. A total of 621 households were sampled from 6 communities in the Western, Oti and Greater Accra regions. Results Over 95% of the households surveyed were covered under mass drug administration (MDA) campaigns for lymphatic filariasis (LF) and onchocerciasis. More than 80% of households had received at least two visits by community drug distributors under the MDA campaigns in the last two years preceding the study. In addition, over 90% of households in the LF and onch...
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2023
The Neglected Tropical Diseases programme since its implementation has improved the lives of many in the tropical and subtropical areas. Though witnessed many successes, the programme is continually facing challenges thus, preventing the attainment of various objectives. This study seeks to assess the challenges of implementation of the neglected tropical diseases programme in Ghana. Design/Methodology/Approach The thematic analysis approach was used to analyze qualitative data collected from 18 key public health managers selected through purposive and snowballing procedures from the national, regional and district levels of Ghana Health Service. Data collection was done through in-depth interviews using semi-structured interview guides in line with the objective of the study. Findings The Neglected Tropical Diseases Programme though received funding from external sources, faces multiple challenges which cut across financial, human and capital resources to external control. Specifically, inadequate resources, dwindling volunteerism, poor social mobilization, weak governmental commitment and weak monitoring were major challenges to implementation. These factors work individually and in combination to impede effective implementation. Ensuring state ownership, restructuring implementation approaches to include top-down and bottom-up approaches and building capacity in monitoring and evaluation are recommended in order to meet the programme objectives and ensure sustainability. Originality This study forms part of an original study on Implementation of the NTDs programme in Ghana. Aside the key issues discussed, it presents first-hand information on major PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
The success of mass drug administration (MDA) campaigns to control and eliminate neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in Ghana depends, to a large extent, on the essential role community drug distributors (CDDs) play. This study aimed to investigate community’s perceptions of CDDs’ roles, impact of CDDs’ work, challenges faced by CDDs and views on resources required to enhance CDDs’ work to sustain MDA campaigns. Methods: A cross-sectional qualitative study employing the use of focus group discussions (FGDs) with community members and CDDs in selected NTD endemic communities together with individual interviews with district health officers (DHOs)was conducted. We interviewed 104 people aged 18 and over, purposively selected, through eight individual interviews, and 16 focus group discussions. Results: Participants in the community FGDs noted that health education and distribution of drugs were the main roles of CDDs. Participants also perceived that the work of CDDs had prevented the ...
2021
Background: Many countries in Africa are making progress towards reducing the incidence of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and possibly eliminating them completely. Through the accepted global strategy of Mass Drug Administration (MDA), the COUNTDOWN project1 has made significant attempts through a partnership with the Ghana Health Service to reduce the incidence and impact of NTDs particularly Schistosomiasis (SCH), Soil Transmitted Helminths (STH), Onchocerciasis (OV), and Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) in Ghana. However, elimination can be achieved only when the key players including the community members comply with the programme guidelines and requirements by participating in MDA campaigns against NTDs. The objective of the paper is to examine the factors influencing community members’ participation in MDA programs that seeks to bring the services of NTDs prevention to the doorstep of individuals. Methods: We used a population-based survey data of 1,034 people from 296 households...
BMC Infectious Diseases
Introduction The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in a major breakdown of health service provision in the fight against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). COVID-19 may impact NTDs service delivery in varied ways. As the Ghana NTD programme planned to resume MDA activities, we examined the COVID-19 related perceptions and practices among some community members and frontline health workers for NTD control activities in the country. Methods The study was conducted in seven communities in the Ahanta West district of Ghana. This was a qualitative study using in-depth interviews (IDI) and focus group discussions (FGDs) for data collection. Participants were purposively selected from varied backgrounds to represent both beneficiaries and service providers directly involved in NTD programme implementation. Trained and experienced qualitative data collectors conducted the FGD and IDI sessions in the local Twi language, while health worker sessions were conducted in ...
Journal of Global Health Reports, 2019
Back Background ground The Community Health Worker (CHW) programme is recognised as key for providing healthcare to communities, particularly in remote locations. CHWs are usually volunteers, nominated by their communities and trained to provide basic care and prevention for common illnesses. However, differences in disease-specific programmes aimed at meeting national agenda and perceived health needs of the community raises questions about the best approach to maximise the potential of this workforce. Methods Methods This was an explorative qualitative study, ancillary to a larger trial on a malaria control intervention. In July 2017, 40 semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 village health workers (VHWs), four community health nurses who supervise VHWs, and 19 key informants from the community. Analysis was concurrent to data collection and carried out using a deductive process for thematic analysis, with the aid of NVivo 11 Qualitative Analysis Software.
International Research Journal of Public Health, 2017
Background: The use of antimalarial drugs and the prevention of man and vector contact remain the major control and prevention strategy of malaria until the availability of effective and safe vaccine. In Africa, one of the major strategies to malaria control and prevention is the home based malaria strategy through which trained community drug distributors identify and provide antimalarial drugs to children under five years with fever. This research aims at exploring the capacity, performance, and motivation of CBAs in Tamale Metropolis, Northern region, Ghana. Methodology: A Survey, in-depth interviews and short ethnographic techniques were conducted among 104 CBAs who were trained and given logistical support to assess and treat children less than five years with malaria presumptively at home. Participants were selected randomly and represented urban, peri-urban and rural settings. Results: 96.2% of respondents identified malaria by presence of fever while 92.3% used fever as a cardinal sign. More than 82% of participants provided early treatment in all the three location. 64.4% of participants administered the correct number of days while 32.7% administered daily doses correctly, only 24% of CBAs knew that the Antimalarial medications they use have some side effects. 77.9% knew when to repeat drug dose when child vomit or when parent forget to give the dose. Most of the participant had registers and were