Wolski Ann, Moyer Cheryl A, Amoah Rexford, Otoo Benjamin, Kaselitz Elizabeth, Bakari Ashura
University of Michigan Medical School.
Ghana Health Service.
Res Sq. 2024 Jul 29:rs.3.rs-4662211. doi: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4662211/v1.
This study sought to understand community health workers' (CHW) knowledge and perceptions of community beliefs surrounding neonatal jaundice (NNJ), a treatable but potentially fatal condition prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa.
In this cross-sectional qualitative study, CHWs in Kumasi, Ghana, completed in-depth interviews with trained research assistants using a semi-structured interview guide. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using grounded theory methodology.
Knowledge of NNJ varied widely among the 23 respondents: 74% knew NNJ could cause death, 57% knew how to screen for NNJ. 35% of CHWs favored home treatment (sunlight therapy or watchful waiting). Three main themes emerged: CHWs perceived that caregivers prefer home treatment, equating hospital care with death; sunlight and herbs are the most common home treatments; and caregivers attribute NNJ to supernatural causes, delaying jaundice diagnosis.
Incomplete understanding of NNJ among trained CHWs and local communities will require improved education among both groups to improve outcomes.
本研究旨在了解社区卫生工作者（CHW）对撒哈拉以南非洲普遍存在的新生儿黄疸（NNJ）相关社区信念的知识和看法，这是一种可治疗但可能致命的病症。
在这项横断面定性研究中，加纳库马西的社区卫生工作者使用半结构化访谈指南，与经过培训的研究助理进行了深入访谈。访谈进行了录音，逐字转录，并采用扎根理论方法进行分析。
23名受访者对NNJ的了解差异很大：74%的人知道NNJ可能导致死亡，57%的人知道如何筛查NNJ。35%的社区卫生工作者倾向于家庭治疗（日光疗法或观察等待）。出现了三个主要主题：社区卫生工作者认为照顾者更喜欢家庭治疗，将医院治疗等同于死亡；阳光和草药是最常见的家庭治疗方法；照顾者将NNJ归因于超自然原因，从而延迟黄疸诊断。
受过培训的社区卫生工作者和当地社区对NNJ的理解不完整，这需要在这两个群体中加强教育以改善结果。
