dc.contributor.author | Ackumey, Mercy M | |
dc.contributor.author | Gyapong, Margaret | |
dc.contributor.author | Pappoe, Matilda | |
dc.contributor.author | Maclean, Cynthia | |
dc.contributor.author | Weiss, Mitchell Gralnick | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2015-09-24T20:30:37Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2012 | |
dc.identifier | Quick submit: 2015-08-09T12:48:25-04:00 | |
dc.identifier.citation | Ackumey, Mercy M, Margaret Gyapong, Matilda Pappoe, Cynthia Maclean, and Mitchell G Weiss. “Socio-Cultural Determinants of Timely and Delayed Treatment of Buruli Ulcer: Implications for Disease Control.” Infect Dis Poverty 1 (1)(2012): 6. doi:10.1186/2049-9957-1-6. | en_US |
dc.identifier.issn | 2049-9957 | en_US |
dc.identifier.uri | http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:22814048 | |
dc.description.abstract | Introduction: Public health programmes recommend timely medical treatment for Buruli ulcer (BU) infection to
prevent pre-ulcer conditions from progressing to ulcers, to minimise surgery, disabilities and the socio-economic
impact of BU. Clarifying the role of socio-cultural determinants of timely medical treatment may assist in guiding
public health programmes to improve treatment outcomes. This study clarified the role of socio-cultural
determinants and health system factors affecting timely medical treatment for BU in an endemic area in Ghana.
Methods: A semi-structured explanatory model interview based on the explanatory model interview catalogue
(EMIC) was administered to 178 BU-affected persons. Based on research evidence, respondents were classified as
timely treatment (use of medical treatment 3 months from awareness of disease) and delayed treatment (medical
treatment 3 months after onset of disease and failure to use medical treatment). The outcome variable, timely
treatment was analysed with cultural epidemiological variables for categories of distress, perceived causes of BU,
outside-help and reasons for medical treatment in logistic regression models. The median time for the onset of
symptoms to treatment was computed in days. Qualitative phenomenological analysis of respondents’ narratives
clarified the meaning, context and dynamic features of the relationship of explanatory variables with timely medical
treatment.
Results: The median time for initiating treatment was 25 days for pre-ulcers, and 204 days for ulcers. Income loss
and use of herbalists showed significantly negative associations with timely treatment. Respondents’ use of
herbalists was often motivated by the desire for quick recovery in order to continue with work and because
herbalists were relatives and easily accessible. However, drinking unclean water was significantly associated with
timely treatment and access to health services encouraged timely treatment (OR 8.5, p = 0.012). Findings show that
health system factors of access are responsible for non-compliance to treatment regimes.
Conclusions: Findings highlight the importance of an integrated approach to BU control and management
considering the social and economic features that influence delayed treatment and factors that encourage timely
medical treatment. This approach should consider periodic screening for early case-detection, collaboration with
private practitioners and traditional healers, use of mobile services to improve access, adherence and treatment
outcomes. | en_US |
dc.language.iso | en_US | en_US |
dc.publisher | Springer Science + Business Media | en_US |
dc.relation.isversionof | doi:10.1186/2049-9957-1-6 | en_US |
dc.relation.hasversion | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3710079/ | en_US |
dash.license | LAA | |
dc.title | Socio-cultural determinants of timely and delayed treatment of Buruli ulcer: Implications for disease control | en_US |
dc.type | Journal Article | en_US |
dc.date.updated | 2015-08-09T16:48:52Z | |
dc.description.version | Version of Record | en_US |
dc.rights.holder | Ackumey, Mercy M; Gyapong, Margaret; Pappoe, Matilda; Maclean, Cynthia Kwakye; Weiss, Mitchell G | |
dc.relation.journal | Infectious Diseases of Poverty | en_US |
dash.depositing.author | Weiss, Mitchell Gralnick | |
dc.date.available | 2015-09-24T20:30:37Z | |
dc.identifier.doi | 10.1186/2049-9957-1-6 | * |
dash.contributor.affiliated | Weiss, Mitchell | |