Community members and healthcare workers’ priorities for the control and prevention of snakebite envenoming in Ghana

Aglanu, Leslie Mawuli, Amuasi, John Humphrey, Prokesh, Evie, Beyuo, Alexis, Dari, Chrisantus Danaah, Ravensbergen, Sofanne J., Agbogbatey, Melvin Katey, Adobasom-Anane, Austin Gideon, Abass, Kabiru Mohammed, Lalloo, David ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7680-2200, Blessmann, Jörg, Kreuels, Benno and Stienstra, Ymkje (2023) 'Community members and healthcare workers’ priorities for the control and prevention of snakebite envenoming in Ghana'. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Vol 17, Issue 7.

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Abstract

Introduction:
Snakebite is one of the most neglected tropical diseases. In Ghana, there has been a limited interest in snakebite envenoming research despite evidence of high human-snake conflicts. In an effort to meet the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) 2030 snakebite targets, the need for research evidence to guide policy interventions is evident. However, in setting the research agenda, community and healthcare workers’ priorities are rarely considered.

Methods:
Three categories of focus groups were formed in the Ashanti and Upper West regions of Ghana, comprising of community members with and without a history of snakebite and healthcare workers who manage snakebite patients. Two separate focus group discussions were conducted with each group in each region. Using the thematic content analysis approach, the framework method was adopted for the data analysis. A predefined 15-item list of potential snakebite-associated difficulties and the WHO’s 2030 snakebite strategic key activities were ranked in order of priority based on the participants’ individual assessment.

Results:
Both acute and chronic effects of snakebite such as bite site management, rehabilitation and mental health were prioritised by the community members. Health system challenges including training, local standard treatment protocols and clinical investigations on the efficacy of available antivenoms were identified as priorities by the healthcare workers. Notably, all the participant groups highlighted the need for research into the efficacy of traditional medicines and how to promote collaborative strategies between traditional and allopathic treatment practices.

Conclusion:
The prioritisation of chronic snakebite envenoming challenges by community members and how to live and cope with such conditions accentuate the lack of post-hospital treatment follow-ups for both mental and physical rehabilitation. To improve the quality of life of patients, it is essential to involve grassroots stakeholders in the process of developing and prioritising future research agenda.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	WA Public Health > WA 20.5 Research (General) WC Communicable Diseases > Tropical and Parasitic Diseases > WC 765 Prevention and control
Faculty: Department:	Clinical Sciences & International Health > Clinical Sciences Department
Digital Object Identifer (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0011504
SWORD Depositor:	JISC Pubrouter
Depositing User:	JISC Pubrouter
Date Deposited:	03 Aug 2023 11:49
Last Modified:	03 Aug 2023 11:49
URI:	https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/22884

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