02839nas a2200325   4500000000100000008004100001260001200042653001500054653003900069653003000108653001000138653003900148100001300187700001200200700001500212700001900227700001400246700002200260700001400282700001200296700001800308700001200326700001300338245019700351856009000548300000900638490000700647520184500654022001402499       2023                            d  c07/202310achallenges10aCommunity drug distributors (CDDs)10aCommunity’s perceptions10aGhana10aNeglected tropical diseases (NTDs)1 aForson A1 aAwuah R1 aMohammed A1 aOwusu-Asenso C1 aAtakora S1 aAkosah-Brempong G1 aAbdulai A1 aSraku I1 aDhikrullahi S1 aAttah S1 aAfrane Y00aPerceptions of the roles, impact, challenges and needs of community drug distributors in the control and elimination of neglected tropical diseases in difficult-to-access communities in Ghana.  uhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10332082/pdf/12879_2023_Article_8437.pdf  a1-100 v233 a<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The success of mass drug administration (MDA) campaigns to control and eliminate neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in Ghana depends, to a large extent, on the essential role community drug distributors (CDDs) play. This study aimed to investigate community's perceptions of CDDs' roles, impact of CDDs' work, challenges faced by CDDs, and views on resources required to enhance CDDs' work to sustain MDA campaigns.</p>

<p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional qualitative study employing the use of focus group discussions (FGDs) with community members and CDDs in selected NTD endemic communities together with individual interviews with district health officers (DHOs)&nbsp;was conducted. We interviewed 104 people aged 18 and over, purposively selected, through eight individual interviews, and 16 focus group discussions.</p>

<p><strong>Results: </strong>Participants in the community FGDs noted that health education and the distribution of drugs were the main roles of CDDs. Participants also perceived that the work of CDDs had prevented the onset of NTDs, treated symptoms of NTDs, and generally reduced the incidence of infections. In the interviews with CDDs and DHOs, lack of cooperation/non-compliance by community members, demands by community members, lack of working resources and low financial motivation were mentioned as the main challenges to the work of CDDs. Moreover, the provision of logistics and financial motivation for CDDs were identified as factors that will enhance their work.</p>

<p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Incorporating more attractive schemes will incentivise CDDs to improve output. Addressing the challenges highlighted is an important step for the work of CDDS to be effective in controlling NTDs in difficult-to-access communities in Ghana.</p>
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