Forson Akua Obeng, Awuah Raphael Baffour, Mohammed Abdul Rahim, Owusu-Asenso Christopher Mfum, Atakora Sefa Bonsu, Akosah-Brempong Gabriel, Abdulai Anisa, Sraku Isaac Kwame, Dhikrullahi Shittu B, Attah Simon K, Afrane Yaw Asare
University of Ghana.
Res Sq. 2023 Mar 17:rs.3.rs-2640312. doi: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2640312/v1.
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. : 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. : 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 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, provision of logistics and financial motivation for CDDs were identified as factors that will enhance their work. : Incorporating more attractive schemes shall 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.
在加纳,大规模药物管理(MDA)运动在控制和消除被忽视的热带病(NTDs)方面的成功在很大程度上取决于社区药物分发员(CDDs)所发挥的关键作用。本研究旨在调查社区对CDDs角色的看法、CDDs工作的影响、CDDs面临的挑战以及关于加强CDDs工作以维持MDA运动所需资源的观点。:开展了一项横断面定性研究,在选定的NTD流行社区与社区成员和CDDs进行焦点小组讨论(FGDs),并与地区卫生官员(DHOs)进行个人访谈。我们通过八次个人访谈和16次焦点小组讨论,有目的地挑选了104名18岁及以上的人员进行访谈。:社区FGDs的参与者指出,健康教育和药物分发是CDDs的主要职责。参与者还认为,CDDs的工作预防了NTDs的发生,治疗了NTDs的症状,并总体上降低了感染发生率。在对CDDs和DHOs的访谈中,社区成员缺乏合作/不遵守规定、社区成员的要求、缺乏工作资源以及经济激励不足被提及为CDDs工作的主要挑战。此外,为CDDs提供后勤支持和经济激励被确定为将加强其工作的因素。:纳入更具吸引力的计划将激励CDDs提高产出。应对所强调的挑战是使CDDS的工作在加纳难以到达的社区有效控制NTDs的重要一步。
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021-2-23
PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2019-1-17
Risk Manag Healthc Policy. 2018-10-23