Perceptions of the roles, impact, challenges and needs of community drug distributors in the control and elimination of neglected tropical diseases in difficult-to-access communities in Ghana.

Autor: Forson AO; Centre for Vector-borne Diseases Research, Department of Medical Microbiology, Medical School, University of Ghana, University of Ghana, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana.; Department of Medical Laboratory Science, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana., Awuah RB; Regional Institute for Population Studies (RIPS), University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana., Mohammed AR; Centre for Vector-borne Diseases Research, Department of Medical Microbiology, Medical School, University of Ghana, University of Ghana, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana., Owusu-Asenso CM; Centre for Vector-borne Diseases Research, Department of Medical Microbiology, Medical School, University of Ghana, University of Ghana, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana., Atakora SB; Centre for Vector-borne Diseases Research, Department of Medical Microbiology, Medical School, University of Ghana, University of Ghana, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana., Akosah-Brempong G; Centre for Vector-borne Diseases Research, Department of Medical Microbiology, Medical School, University of Ghana, University of Ghana, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana., Abdulai A; Centre for Vector-borne Diseases Research, Department of Medical Microbiology, Medical School, University of Ghana, University of Ghana, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana., Sraku IK; Centre for Vector-borne Diseases Research, Department of Medical Microbiology, Medical School, University of Ghana, University of Ghana, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana., Dhikrullahi SB; Centre for Vector-borne Diseases Research, Department of Medical Microbiology, Medical School, University of Ghana, University of Ghana, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana., Attah SK; Centre for Vector-borne Diseases Research, Department of Medical Microbiology, Medical School, University of Ghana, University of Ghana, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana., Afrane YA; Centre for Vector-borne Diseases Research, Department of Medical Microbiology, Medical School, University of Ghana, University of Ghana, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana. yafrane@ug.edu.gh.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: BMC infectious diseases [BMC Infect Dis] 2023 Jul 10; Vol. 23 (1), pp. 460. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Jul 10.
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08437-z
Abstrakt: Introduction: 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 the distribution of drugs were the main roles of CDDs. Participants also perceived that the work of CDDs had prevented the onset of NTDs, treated symptoms of NTDs, and generally reduced the incidence of infections. In the interviews with CDDs and DHOs, lack of cooperation/non-compliance by community members, demands by community members, lack of working resources and low financial motivation were mentioned as the main challenges to the work of CDDs. Moreover, the provision of logistics and financial motivation for CDDs were identified as factors that will enhance their work.
Conclusions: Incorporating more attractive schemes will incentivise CDDs to improve output. Addressing the challenges highlighted is an important step for the work of CDDS to be effective in controlling NTDs in difficult-to-access communities in Ghana.
(© 2023. The Author(s).)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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