02353nas a2200313 4500000000100000008004100001260003700042653005700079653002400136100001400160700001200174700001500186700001400201700001900215700001300234700001200247700001200259700001500271700001300286700001600299700001600315700001300331245006600344856009900410300001300509490000700522520149600529022001402025 2021 d bPublic Library of Science (PLoS) 10 aPublic Health, Environmental and Occupational Health 10 aInfectious Diseases 1 aAmoako YA 1 aAckam N 1 aOmuojine J 1 aOppong MN 1 aOwusu-Ansah AG 1 aAbass MK 1 aAmofa G 1 aOfori E 1 aFrimpong M 1 aBailey F 1 aMolyneux DH 1 aPhillips RO 1 aFuller C 00 aCaregiver burden in Buruli ulcer disease: Evidence from Ghana uhttps://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0009454&type=printable ae0009454 0 v15 3 a
Background
Buruli ulcer disease (BUD) results in disabilities and deformities in the absence of early medical intervention. The extensive role of caregiving in BUD is widely acknowledged, however, associated caregiver burden is poorly understood. In this paper we assessed the burden which caregivers experience when supporting patients with BUD in Ghana.
Method/ principal findings
This qualitative study was conducted in 3 districts in Ghana between August and October 2019. 13 semi-structured interviews were conducted on caregivers of BUD patients in the local language of Twi. Data was translated into English, coded into broad themes, and direct content analysis approach was used to analyse results. The results show the caregivers face financial, psychological and health issues as a consequence of their caregiving role.
Conclusion/ significance
This study found significant caregiver burden on family members. It also highlighted the psychological burden caregivers experience and the limited knowledge of the disease within endemic communities. Further research is needed to quantify the caregiver burden of BUD at different economic levels in order to better understand the impact of possible caregiver interventions on patient outcomes.
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