01722nas a2200241 4500000000100000008004100001260004400042653002500086653002500111653004100136100001500177700001500192700001200207700001300219700001400232700001300246245009700259856007300356300000700429490000600436520102400442022001401466 2025 d bSpringer Science and Business Media LLC10aBuruli ulcer disease10aCommunity engagement10aCommunity-based health interventions1 aAnkomah SE1 aFusheini A1 aKumah E1 aKokuro C1 aOkyere SA1 aNyame MD00aCommunity engagement for buruli ulcer eradication: lessons from an endemic district in Ghana uhttps://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s44250-025-00183-0.pdf a130 v43 a
The burden of Buruli Ulcer Disease (BUD) is still high in Ghana with over 11,000 cases reported since 1993. Whilst various efforts have been directed at reducing the burden of BUD in Ghana, a community-based approach through community engagement has been described as a ‘critical enabler’. In this qualitative study, we aimed to adapt Rifkin’s spider-gram theory to understand the role of community engagement in the eradication of a BUD programme in an endemic district of Ghana. Overall, 22 people participated in the study. A focus group interview involving 9 participants and semi-structured interviews involving 13 participants were conducted. The study results showed limited community involvement in the design and implementation of the community-based Buruli Ulcer programme. The study, therefore, recommends wider community involvement in the design and implementation phase of health programmes particularly by ensuring this is reflected in all five key dimensions of the spider-gram framework.
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