03012nas a2200421   4500000000100000008004100001260004400042653005700086653004400143653003900187653001500226653001500241653001900256653001000275100001200285700001300297700001200310700001200322700001400334700001400348700001200362700001300374700001400387700001300401700001500414700001300429700001500442700001300457700001400470700001400484700001600498245018800514856008900702300000900791490000700800520176900807022001402576       2023                            d  bSpringer Science and Business Media LLC10aPublic Health, Environmental and Occupational Health10aCommunity based Surveillance volunteers10aNeglected tropical diseases (NTDs)10aMotivation10aincentives10aSustainability10aGhana1 aOwusu L1 aTuwor RD1 aAckam N1 aLoglo A1 aAgbavor B1 aAgbanyo A1 aDornu O1 aAntwi PB1 aOppong MN1 aAdjei JK1 aFrimpong V1 aAbass MK1 aNovignon J1 aAsiedu K1 aLaryea DO1 aAmoako YA1 aPhillips RO00aRole and capacity needs of community based surveillance volunteers in the integrated management of skin neglected tropical diseases (skin NTDs): a qualitative study from central Ghana  uhttps://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/counter/pdf/10.1186/s12889-023-16015-w.pdf  a1-120 v233 a<p><strong>Background:</strong> Community Based Surveillance Volunteers (CBSVs) have been instrumental in the management of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) but a concern that their services in scale up programmes may be affected due to high attrition rates has been widely acknowledged. We explored the roles and capacity needs of existing CBSVs to inform for a successful integrated NTD management programme in Ghana and similar contexts.</p>

<p><strong>Methods:</strong> We conducted qualitative interviews with 50 CBSVs, 21 Community Nurses, 4 Disease control officers, 7 skin NTD researchers, 2 skin NTD patients and a Director of District Health Services in Central Ghana. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed and coded prior to translation and thematic analysis.</p>

<p><strong>Results:</strong> The roles of CBSVs in NTD management were shown to have an impact on disease identification, surveillance, health seeking behaviours and status of CBSVs. Lack of motivation, inadequate structures for engagement of CBSVs within the health system and delayed management of reported cases were identified as gaps that hinder effective delivery of CBSV roles. Provision of incentives as recognition for the unpaid services rendered by CBSVs was seen as a major factor to reduce the rate of CBSV attrition in this scale up programme. Other factors included the formulation of policies by government to guide CBSV engagement, regular training of CBSV in NTD management as well as provision of resources and logistics.</p>

<p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Measures including continuous training, institution of rewards and incentivization are important for ensuring the sustainability of CBSVs in the provision of skin NTD services in Ghana.</p>
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