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Factors related to discontinued clinic attendance by patients with podoconiosis in southern Ethiopia: a qualitative study

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posted on 2023-06-08, 14:50 authored by Abebayehu Tora, Gail DaveyGail Davey, Getnet Tadele
Background Podoconiosis is a lymphoedema of non-infectious cause which results in long-term ill health in affected individuals. Simple, effective treatment is available in certain parts of Ethiopia, but evidence indicates that not all patients continue collecting treatment supplies from clinic sites once started. We used qualitative techniques to explore factors related to discontinued attendance at outreach clinics of a non-government organization in southern Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional qualitative study was conducted in four clinic sites through unstructured in-depth interviews, key informant interviews and focus group discussions with the involvement of 88 study subjects. Results Discontinuation of clinic visits is common among podoconiosis patients. The reasons were: remoteness from the clinic sites, unrealistic expectation of ‘special’ aid, worry about increasing stigma, illness and misconceptions about treatment. Conclusions Several of these factors are remediable through community and individual information and education. Appropriate routes to deliver this information must be identified. Certain factors (such as distance to clinic sites and stigma) require substantial expansion of services or liaison with village-level government health services.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

BMC Public Health

ISSN

1471-2458

Publisher

BioMed Central

Issue

902

Volume

12

Page range

1-7

Department affiliated with

  • Global Health and Infection Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2013-05-01

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2013-05-01

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2013-05-01

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