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.

Autor: Owusu L; Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana., Tuwor RD; Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana., Ackam N; Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana., Loglo A; Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana., Agbavor B; Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana., Agbanyo A; Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana., Dornu O; Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana., Antwi PB; Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana., Oppong MN; Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana., Adjei JK; Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana., Frimpong V; Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana., Abass MK; Agogo Presbyterian Hospital, Agogo, Ghana., Novignon J; Department of Economics, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana., Asiedu K; World Health Organisation, Geneva, Switzerland., Laryea DO; Disease Surveillance Department, Ghana Health Service, Accra, Ghana., Amoako YA; Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. yamoako2002@yahoo.co.uk.; School of Medicine and Dentistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. yamoako2002@yahoo.co.uk.; Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana. yamoako2002@yahoo.co.uk., Phillips RO; Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.; School of Medicine and Dentistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.; Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: BMC public health [BMC Public Health] 2023 Jun 06; Vol. 23 (1), pp. 1086. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Jun 06.
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16015-w
Abstrakt: 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.
(© 2023. The Author(s).)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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