COVID-19 related perception among some community members and frontline healthcare providers for NTD control in Ghana (original) (raw)
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PLOS ONE
Background Mass test, treat and track (MTTT) of malaria is ongoing in the Pakro sub district of Ghana. In the delivery of MTTT of malaria, community health volunteers are trained to routinely provide this service through a door-to-door strategy. Following the report of the first cases of COVID-19 in Ghana, we conducted this study to explore the effects of the pandemic on the implementation of the MTTT of malaria intervention. Methods Using qualitative methodology, we conducted ten focus groups discussions (FGDs) in eight communities: eight with community members (N = 49); one with health workers (N = 6), and one with MTTT of malaria volunteers. In addition, two in-depth interviews (IDI) were conducted, one with health worker and another with a health manager. All interviews were recorded, translated into English during transcription and analysed using QSR NVivo 12. Thematic content analysis was used in this study. Results The findings of the study showed an increase in the number of...
BMC Public Health, 2023
Background Community Based Surveillance Volunteers (CBSVs) have been instrumental in the management of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) but a concern that their services in scale up programmes may be affected due to high attrition rates has been widely acknowledged. We explored the roles and capacity needs of existing CBSVs to inform for a successful integrated NTD management programme in Ghana and similar contexts. Methods We conducted qualitative interviews with 50 CBSVs, 21 Community Nurses, 4 Disease control officers, 7 skin NTD researchers, 2 skin NTD patients and a Director of District Health Services in Central Ghana. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed and coded prior to translation and thematic analysis. Results The roles of CBSVs in NTD management were shown to have an impact on disease identification, surveillance, health seeking behaviours and status of CBSVs. Lack of motivation, inadequate structures for engagement of CBSVs within the health system and delayed management of reported cases were identified as gaps that hinder effective delivery of CBSV roles. Provision of incentives as recognition for the unpaid services rendered by CBSVs was seen as a major factor to reduce the rate of CBSV attrition in this scale up programme. Other factors included the formulation of policies by government to guide CBSV engagement, regular training of CBSV in NTD management as well as provision of resources and logistics. Conclusion Measures including continuous training, institution of rewards and incentivization are important for ensuring the sustainability of CBSVs in the provision of skin NTD services in Ghana.
PLOS global public health, 2024
Community Health Workers (CHWs) are a key human resource for health particularly in lowand middle-income countries. In many parts of the world, CHWs are known to have played an instrumental role in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. This study explored the involvement of CHWs in the COVID-19 response in Uganda. A qualitative study that involved 10 focus group discussions (FGDs) among CHWs was conducted. The study was carried out in 5 districts of Amuria, Karenga, Kamwenge, Bugiri and Pader. The FGD guide used explored the role of CHWs in the COVID-19 response in their communities including lived experiences, challenges, and coping mechanisms. The data were analyzed thematically with the support of NVivo version 12 pro (QSR International). CHWs were at the frontline of COVID-19 prevention interventions at households and in the community. CHWs raised awareness on prevention measures including wearing face masks, hand hygiene, and social distancing. They identified suspected cases such as new members entering the community, as well as individuals returning from abroad with signs and symptoms of COVID-19. CHWs mobilized the community and increased awareness on COVID-19 vaccination which played an important role in reducing misinformation. They also supported home-based management of mild COVID-19 cases through isolation of patients; provided health and nutritional guidance among patients in their homes; and referred suspected cases to health facilities for testing and management. Both monetary and non-monetary incentives were provided to support CHWs in the COVID-19 response. However, the adequacy and timing of the incentives were inadequate. Routine services of CHWs such as health promotion and treatment of childhood illnesses were disrupted during the pandemic. CHWs played an instrumental role in response to the pandemic especially on surveillance, risk communication, and observance of preventing measures. Strategies to ensure that routine services of CHWs are not disrupted during pandemics are needed.
2020
Africa is gradually becoming an epicentre for the COVID-19 pandemic. From the current trends of the disease, Africa might be the last hardest hit continent. While scientific investigations are ongoing to develop effective management through medications and vaccines, existing knowledge, perceptions and attitudes could be harnessed to develop an effective strategy to curb community transmission of the COVID-19. The present study assessed the awareness level, perceptions and attitudes of people living in rural, peri-urban and urban communities in Northern Ghana and their preparedness for the prevention and containment of COVID-19. We conducted a face-to-face interview and administered 553 semi-structured questionnaires in eighteen (18) rural and peri-urban/urban communities under Tolon District, Kumbungu Districts, Sagnarigu Municipality, Savelugu Municipality and Tamale Metropolis from 23rd of April to 8th of June 2020. The percentage of male to female among the respondents was 56.8% ...
PLOS ONE, 2021
Background The emergence of a pandemic presents challenges and opportunities for healthcare, health promotion interventions, and overall improvement in healthcare seeking behaviour. This study explored the impact of COVID-19 on health knowledge, lifestyle, and healthcare seeking behaviour among residents of a resource-limited setting in Ghana. Methods This qualitative study adopted an exploratory design to collect data from 20 adult residents in the Cape Coast Metropolis using face-to-face in-depth interviews. Data collected were analysed thematically and statements from participants presented verbatim to illustrate the themes realised. Results Health knowledge has improved due to COVID–19 in terms of access to health information and increased understanding of health issues. There were reductions in risky health-related lifestyles (alcohol intake, sharing of personal items, and consumption of junk foods) while improvements were observed in healthy lifestyles such as regular physical...
The Development of a Community-based COVID-19 Public Health Intervention in Rural Ghana
Background: The Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (PARIHS) framework was utilized to design an evidence-based practice, Cocoa360’s COVID Preparedness & Outbreak Prevention Plan (CoCoPOPP), for rural communities in Ghana. Through participatory academic-community team discussion, interactive dissemination, systematic review of evidence about community-based interventions during Ebola, HIV/AIDS, and Influenza outbreaks and effective engagement with local and national stakeholders, CoCoPOPP was developed to be consistent with the PARIHS framework. Methods: Applying the three core elements of the PARIHS framework (evidence, context, and facilitation), the designers developed orientation, logistic needs and planning, and social mobilization. Components of CoCoPOPP also included participant recruitment and training, communication, research, monitoring & evaluation plan, execution, technical assistance, and facilitation. Results: This intervention achieved three...
PLOS Global Public Health
The Coronavirus Disease, 2019 (COVID-19) disrupted healthcare delivery. Health workers, particularly nurses are key members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team. They are faced with many challenges due to the pandemic. In addition to providing basic healthcare services, nurses are required to adhere to the COVID-19 recommended safety protocols. This study explored experiences of nurses on the implementation of COVID-19 preventive protocols in Tamale Metropolis, Ghana. A qualitative study was conducted among seventeen (17) nurses, comprising five (5) staff with COVID-19 infection, and twelve (12) ward managers or in-charges who did not have COVID-19 infection, using explorative design and an interview guide. The participants were purposively selected. The ward managers/in-charges and infected staff were interviewed face-to-face and by mobile phone respectively. Content analysis was conducted on the data and the results presented as themes and sub-themes. After the analysis, five ...
Development of a community-based COVID-19 intervention in rural Ghana: a document analysis
BMC Public Health
Background The COVID-19 pandemic has caused the loss of millions of lives and economic breakdowns in many countries across the globe. Despite the limited availability of vaccines and the challenges of poor health infrastructure, few interventions have been developed and implemented for those who live in rural areas, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. In response, Cocoa360, a global health nonprofit in rural Ghana designed an intervention called Cocoa360’s COVID-19 Preparedness and Outbreak Prevention Plan (CoCoPOPP). This paper aimed to examine the extent to which CoCoPOPP’s design aligned with the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (PARIHS) framework. Methods We reviewed documents influencing CoCoPOPP’s design between March and June 2021. A total of 11 documents were identified for analysis. Using the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (PARIHS) framework as a guide, thematic analysis was done to analyze the extracted data. Re...
BMJ Open
ObjectivesTo explore communities’ perceptions about COVID-19 in the context of the ANRS COV33 Coverage-Africa clinical trial evaluating the efficacy of treatments in preventing clinical worsening of COVID-19.DesignDescriptive qualitative study using semistructured in-depth individual interviews conducted by telephone in French and Soussou between May and September 2021. Data were transcribed, translated in French when applicable and analysed with the thematic analysis method.SettingThe eight neighbourhoods most affected by COVID-19 in Conakry’s urban context, capital of Guinea.Participants4 community leaders acting as key informants—providing insights regarding population’s opinions—and six community members, who were exposed to an information session conducted as part of Coverage-Africa.ResultsAccording to participants, community members have heterogeneous viewpoints about COVID-19: it exists and is dangerous; it is benign (‘bad cold’); or it is fictitious (eg, government conspirac...
Knowledge into the Practice against COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study from Ghana
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected populations globally, including Ghana. Knowledge of the COVID-19 disease, and the application of preventive public health interventions are pivotal to its control. Besides a lockdown, measures taken against the spread of the virus include the wearing of face masks, social distancing, regular hand washing with soap and, more recently, vaccination against the virus. In order to establish a possible link between the knowledge of the disease and compliance with preventive measures, including vaccination, a cross-sectional study employing an interview-structured questionnaire was conducted in six regions of Ghana (n = 1560). An adequate level of knowledge of COVID-19 (69.9%) was reported. The linear multiple regression analysis further explicated the differences in the knowledge of COVID-19 among the respondents by their knowledge of cholera and influenza (adjusted R-Square = 0.643). Despite this profound knowledge of the illness, two thirds of the resp...