Community Contribution to Tuberculosis Care in the Krachi West District of Ghana: A Qualitative Study
Joint Authors
Amu, Hubert
Tarkang, Elvis
Osei, Eric
Komesuor, Joyce
Saah, Farrukh Ishaque
Acquah, Evelyn
Addy, Samuel Agbenyegah
Anku, Prince Justin
Source
Tuberculosis Research and Treatment
Issue
Vol. 2019, Issue 2019 (31 Dec. 2019), pp.1-8, 8 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2019-07-14
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
8
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Background.
Eradicating tuberculosis (TB) is one of the targets of the recently constituted Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Three.
In the light of limitations inherent in prevailing tuberculosis care and the global urgency to improve TB care, decentralising TB care beyond health facilities by harnessing the contribution of communities is essential in ensuring effective tuberculosis care.
In this paper, we explored community contribution to TB care in the Krachi West District of Ghana.
Methods.
In this qualitative study, 24 TB stakeholders made up of 7 health workers, 9 tuberculosis patients, 4 community health volunteers, 2 treatment supporters, and 2 opinion leaders were interviewed.
Data collected were analysed manually, but thematically.
Statements of the participants were presented as quotes to substantiate issues discussed.
Results.
Community contribution to TB care was low.
Most of the community members were not aware of any community level activity towards tuberculosis care.
Though patients were mainly the ones responsible for the selection of their treatment supporters, there were instances where health workers selected supporters for them without their consent.
Some treatment supporters were also not given any education concerning their roles in supporting their patients, resulting in some patients defaulting treatment and others taking their medications wrongfully.
Conclusion.
Our study revealed low community involvement in tuberculosis care in the Krachi West District of Ghana.
Community sensitisation on the World Health Organisation’s Directly Observed Treatment Strategy (which Ghana adopted in 1994) to increase community involvement in tuberculosis activities is, therefore, recommended.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Addy, Samuel Agbenyegah& Osei, Eric& Komesuor, Joyce& Acquah, Evelyn& Anku, Prince Justin& Tarkang, Elvis…[et al.]. 2019. Community Contribution to Tuberculosis Care in the Krachi West District of Ghana: A Qualitative Study. Tuberculosis Research and Treatment،Vol. 2019, no. 2019, pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1211777
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Addy, Samuel Agbenyegah…[et al.]. Community Contribution to Tuberculosis Care in the Krachi West District of Ghana: A Qualitative Study. Tuberculosis Research and Treatment No. 2019 (2019), pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1211777
American Medical Association (AMA)
Addy, Samuel Agbenyegah& Osei, Eric& Komesuor, Joyce& Acquah, Evelyn& Anku, Prince Justin& Tarkang, Elvis…[et al.]. Community Contribution to Tuberculosis Care in the Krachi West District of Ghana: A Qualitative Study. Tuberculosis Research and Treatment. 2019. Vol. 2019, no. 2019, pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1211777
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-1211777