Investigating barriers and challenges to the integrated management of neglected tropical skin diseases in an endemic setting in Nigeria.
BACKGROUND:There is a dearth of experience in and evidence for cost-effective integrated community-based management of skin neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and care-seeking practices including self-care with a view to introducing...
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ftdoajarticles:oai:doaj.org/article:9591c5c2401b416984257e323f58551a 2023-05-15T15:16:23+02:00 Investigating barriers and challenges to the integrated management of neglected tropical skin diseases in an endemic setting in Nigeria. Kingsley N Ukwaja Chukwuka Alphonsus Chinwe C Eze Linda Lehman Ngozi Ekeke Charles C Nwafor Joy Ikebudu Moses C Anyim Joseph N Chukwu 2020-04-01T00:00:00Z https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0008248 https://doaj.org/article/9591c5c2401b416984257e323f58551a EN eng Public Library of Science (PLoS) https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0008248 https://doaj.org/toc/1935-2727 https://doaj.org/toc/1935-2735 1935-2727 1935-2735 doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0008248 https://doaj.org/article/9591c5c2401b416984257e323f58551a PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Vol 14, Iss 4, p e0008248 (2020) Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine RC955-962 Public aspects of medicine RA1-1270 article 2020 ftdoajarticles https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0008248 2022-12-31T11:50:59Z BACKGROUND:There is a dearth of experience in and evidence for cost-effective integrated community-based management of skin neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and care-seeking practices including self-care with a view to introducing appropriate community-based interventions for skin NTDs in an endemic setting in Southern Nigeria. METHODS/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:This exploratory study adopted a mixed-methods design consisting of cross-sectional surveys of community members and health workers using interviewer-administered questionnaires; and focus group discussions (FGDs) with community members, health care workers and patients with NTDs in Anambra State, Nigeria. The survey was completed by 353 community members (61.8% female) and 15 health care workers (100.0% female). A total of 52 individuals participated in six FGDs. Of the community members, 236 (66.9%) had heard or seen a case of leprosy; 324 (91.8%) and 131 (37.5%) had heard or seen a case of Buruli ulcer and lymphatic filariasis, respectively. Again, 213 (60.3%) of the respondents reported that the diseases were caused by witchcraft or curse. As regards prevention, 241 (68.3%) suggested avoiding handshake with affected persons. Up to 223 (63.2%) of respondents strongly agreed to the seriousness of skin NTDs in their community. Meanwhile, 272 (77.1%) of the respondents believed that the transmission of these skin NTDs can be prevented. Furthermore, 324 (91.7%) desired active community engagement for control of skin NTDs. Regarding community care seeking practices, 197 (55.8%) would first visit the health centre/hospital, followed by 91 (25.8%) traditional healer/herbalist and 35 (9.9%) pharmacy/patent medicine vendor if they develop a skin NTD. Overall, 332 (94.1%) of respondents expressed interest in being taught self-care practices for skin NTDs. Out of 15 healthcare workers, 13 (86.7%) were able to correctly diagnose two of these skin NTDs and 10 (66.7%) would encourage patients to practice ... Article in Journal/Newspaper Arctic Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles Arctic PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 14 4 e0008248 |
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Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles |
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English |
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Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine RC955-962 Public aspects of medicine RA1-1270 |
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Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine RC955-962 Public aspects of medicine RA1-1270 Kingsley N Ukwaja Chukwuka Alphonsus Chinwe C Eze Linda Lehman Ngozi Ekeke Charles C Nwafor Joy Ikebudu Moses C Anyim Joseph N Chukwu Investigating barriers and challenges to the integrated management of neglected tropical skin diseases in an endemic setting in Nigeria. |
topic_facet |
Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine RC955-962 Public aspects of medicine RA1-1270 |
description |
BACKGROUND:There is a dearth of experience in and evidence for cost-effective integrated community-based management of skin neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and care-seeking practices including self-care with a view to introducing appropriate community-based interventions for skin NTDs in an endemic setting in Southern Nigeria. METHODS/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:This exploratory study adopted a mixed-methods design consisting of cross-sectional surveys of community members and health workers using interviewer-administered questionnaires; and focus group discussions (FGDs) with community members, health care workers and patients with NTDs in Anambra State, Nigeria. The survey was completed by 353 community members (61.8% female) and 15 health care workers (100.0% female). A total of 52 individuals participated in six FGDs. Of the community members, 236 (66.9%) had heard or seen a case of leprosy; 324 (91.8%) and 131 (37.5%) had heard or seen a case of Buruli ulcer and lymphatic filariasis, respectively. Again, 213 (60.3%) of the respondents reported that the diseases were caused by witchcraft or curse. As regards prevention, 241 (68.3%) suggested avoiding handshake with affected persons. Up to 223 (63.2%) of respondents strongly agreed to the seriousness of skin NTDs in their community. Meanwhile, 272 (77.1%) of the respondents believed that the transmission of these skin NTDs can be prevented. Furthermore, 324 (91.7%) desired active community engagement for control of skin NTDs. Regarding community care seeking practices, 197 (55.8%) would first visit the health centre/hospital, followed by 91 (25.8%) traditional healer/herbalist and 35 (9.9%) pharmacy/patent medicine vendor if they develop a skin NTD. Overall, 332 (94.1%) of respondents expressed interest in being taught self-care practices for skin NTDs. Out of 15 healthcare workers, 13 (86.7%) were able to correctly diagnose two of these skin NTDs and 10 (66.7%) would encourage patients to practice ... |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Kingsley N Ukwaja Chukwuka Alphonsus Chinwe C Eze Linda Lehman Ngozi Ekeke Charles C Nwafor Joy Ikebudu Moses C Anyim Joseph N Chukwu |
author_facet |
Kingsley N Ukwaja Chukwuka Alphonsus Chinwe C Eze Linda Lehman Ngozi Ekeke Charles C Nwafor Joy Ikebudu Moses C Anyim Joseph N Chukwu |
author_sort |
Kingsley N Ukwaja |
title |
Investigating barriers and challenges to the integrated management of neglected tropical skin diseases in an endemic setting in Nigeria. |
title_short |
Investigating barriers and challenges to the integrated management of neglected tropical skin diseases in an endemic setting in Nigeria. |
title_full |
Investigating barriers and challenges to the integrated management of neglected tropical skin diseases in an endemic setting in Nigeria. |
title_fullStr |
Investigating barriers and challenges to the integrated management of neglected tropical skin diseases in an endemic setting in Nigeria. |
title_full_unstemmed |
Investigating barriers and challenges to the integrated management of neglected tropical skin diseases in an endemic setting in Nigeria. |
title_sort |
investigating barriers and challenges to the integrated management of neglected tropical skin diseases in an endemic setting in nigeria. |
publisher |
Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
publishDate |
2020 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0008248 https://doaj.org/article/9591c5c2401b416984257e323f58551a |
geographic |
Arctic |
geographic_facet |
Arctic |
genre |
Arctic |
genre_facet |
Arctic |
op_source |
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Vol 14, Iss 4, p e0008248 (2020) |
op_relation |
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0008248 https://doaj.org/toc/1935-2727 https://doaj.org/toc/1935-2735 1935-2727 1935-2735 doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0008248 https://doaj.org/article/9591c5c2401b416984257e323f58551a |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0008248 |
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PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases |
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14 |
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4 |
container_start_page |
e0008248 |
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1766346676654571520 |