Experiences of Buruli Ulcer Patients Following Discharge in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana

Menlah, Awube; Boahemaa, Maame Kodua

doi:10.1177/1534734620939528

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…These findings for active and past BU infection are in keeping with previous psychological studies in BUD, which showed symptoms of anxiety in pre-ulcer states in 66.7% and 61.5% of ulcer states for active infection [ 19 ], and 19.5% anxiety and 31.7% depression for past infection [ 20 ].The disabling, disfiguring, and stigmatizing conditions associated with most NTDs results in mental distress in affected persons, and may result in persisting social participation restrictions even among BUD patients with past infection [ 10 ]. It is therefore not surprising that BUD patients with past infection have previously expressed a need to continue to access holistic case, including counselling services [ 38 , 39 ]. Most BUD patients and caregivers showed signs of mental distress such as fear, sadness, nervousness as a result of the disease.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mental health and quality of life burden in Buruli ulcer disease patients in Ghana

et al. 2021

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Background Buruli ulcer disease (BUD) is a necrotic skin neglected tropical disease (NTD) that has both a mental and physical health impact on affected individuals. Although there is increasing evidence suggesting a strong association between neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and mental illness, there is a relative lack of information on BUD’s impact on the mental health and quality of life (QoL) of affected individuals in Ghana. This study is to assess the impact of BUD on mental health and quality of life of patients with active and past BUD infection, and their caregivers. Methods We conducted a case control study in 3 BUD endemic districts in Ghana between August and November 2019. Face-to-face structured questionnaire-based interviews were conducted on BUD patients with active and past infection, as well as caregivers of BUD patients using WHO Quality of Life scale, WHO Disability Assessment Schedule, Self-Reporting Questionnaire, Buruli Ulcer Functional Limitation Score and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale data tools. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the characteristics of the study participants. Participant groups were compared using student t test and chi-square (χ2) or Fisher’s exact tests. Mean quality of life scores are reported with their respective 95% confidence intervals. Data was analysed using STATA statistical software. Results Our results show that BUD patients with active and past infection, along with their caregivers, face significant levels of distress and mental health sequelae compared to controls. Depression (P = 0.003) was more common in participants with active (27%) and past BU infection (17%), compared to controls (0%). Anxiety was found in 42% (11/26) and 20% (6/29) of participants with active and past BUD infection compared to 14% (5/36) of controls. Quality of life was also significantly diminished in active BUD infection, compared to controls. In the physical health domain, mean QoL scores were 54 ± 11.1 and 56 ± 11.0 (95% CI: 49.5‒58.5 and 52.2‒59.7) respectively for participants with active infection and controls. Similarly in the psychological domain, scores were lower for active infection than controls [57.1 ± 15.2 (95% CI: 50.9‒63.2) vs 64.7 ± 11.6 (95% CI: 60.8‒68.6)]. Participants with past infection had high QoL scores in both physical [61.3 ± 13.5 (95% CI: 56.1‒66.5)] and psychological health domains [68.4 ± 14.6 (95% CI: 62.7‒74.0)]. Conclusions BUD is associated with significant mental health distress and reduced quality of life in affected persons and their caregivers in Ghana. There is a need for integration of psychosocial interventions in the management of the disease. Graphic abstract

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mental health and quality of life burden in Buruli ulcer disease patients in Ghana

et al. 2021

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“…In Ghana, Menlah et al 14 have assessed the experience of patients with Buruli ulcers after hospital discharge. Onoyama et al 15 have identified the importance of psychological issues in terms of ulcer development among patients with peripheral arterial disease.…”

Section: Editorialmentioning

confidence: 99%

Autumn’s Golden Leaves

Παπάνας

Papi²

2022

The International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds

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Qualitative study of the stigma associated with the lived experiences of Buruli ulcer disease among patients in Nigeria

Azubuike,

Imo,

Ogbonna

2023

International Health

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Background Buruli ulcer disease (BUD) is a neglected tropical disease of the skin, subcutaneous tissue and bone caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans, with various disabling and stigmatising sequelae. Patients face a range of adverse impacts owing to the disease as most are unable to relate effectively with their communities, battling stigma and fear of discrimination. This study aimed to explore the stigma associated with the lived experiences of BUD in patients in Nigeria. Methods This was a cross-sectional qualitative study that employed a focus group discussion (FGD) and key informant interviews in Enugu State, Nigeria. A random sampling of communities was followed by a purposive selection of FGD participants and key informants. A total of six key informants and eight FGD participants took part in the study. Data were collected over 6 wk from December 2022 to February 2023. The NVivo application was used to analyse transcripts and compute themes of quotes. Results Patients experienced stigma owing to the condition. The most reported experiences by participants were shame and culpability, isolation and social exclusion, including maltreatment from family members. Conclusions Identifying the stigma experienced by patients owing to BUD helps in the provision of psychosocial management services and support for patients.

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Experiences of Buruli Ulcer Patients Following Discharge in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana

Cited by 3 publications

References 32 publications

Mental health and quality of life burden in Buruli ulcer disease patients in Ghana

Mental health and quality of life burden in Buruli ulcer disease patients in Ghana

Autumn’s Golden Leaves

Qualitative study of the stigma associated with the lived experiences of Buruli ulcer disease among patients in Nigeria

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