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Self care groups and Ulcer prevention in Okegbala, Nigeria
Jannine Ebenso
  Jannine Ebenso
Affiliation
The Leprosy Mission International, 80 Windmill Road, Brentford, Middlesex, TW8 0QH, UK
Correspondence to: Jannine Ebenso, The Leprosy Mission International, 80 Windmill Road, Brentford, Middlesex TW8 0QH, UK (e-mail: JannineE@tlmint.org)
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a,*
Lawrence T. Muyiwa
  Lawrence T. Muyiwa
Affiliation
The Leprosy Mission Nigeria, PMB 179 Minna, Niger State, Nigeria
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b
Bassey E. Ebenso
  Bassey E. Ebenso
Affiliation
School of Sociology & Social Policy, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
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c
Objective

To assess the impact of the three self-care Groups on ulcer prevalence and readmission rates in Okegbala hospital.

 Design

A retrospective, descriptive study. The evaluation combined four data collection methods namely (i) records survey, (ii) semi-structured interviews of individual members of self-care groups, (iii) group discussions and (iv) key informant interviews.

 Results

Record surveys show that the ulcer prevalence has decreased by almost 75% since the adoption of the self-care group; admissions to hospital for ulcer care have reduced, and the mean interval between admissions has increased by 7 months. Semi structured interviews and group discussions show that all members have a greater sense of control of their ulcers and general health; and that self-care groups have a potential of catalysing community solidarity and development.

 Conclusions

This small study shows that self-care groups are valuable for reducing ulcers and giving members a greater sense of control of their ulcers and general health resulting in fewer hospital admissions. We recommend a multi-centre, controlled, prospective study incorporating different settings (e.g. urban, rural, near hospitals, within field leprosy programmes) to test these findings. Such a study has the potential of influencing policy and health-service reorientation of ulcer care in future.
Cite this article
Jannine Ebenso, Lawrence T. Muyiwa, Bassey E. Ebenso;
Self care groups and Ulcer prevention in Okegbala, Nigeria; Leprosy Review; 2009; 80; 2; 187-196; DOI: 10.47276/lr.80.2.187
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DOI: 10.47276/lr.80.2.187

articleview.journal_title: Leprosy Review
articleview.publisher: Lepra
articleview.publisher_location: Colchester, UK
articleview.article_date_pre accepted on 07 May 2009 and articleview.pub_on 01 June 2009
© Lepra 2009
LEPROSY
Leprosy Review
0305-7518
British Leprosy Relief Association
Colchester, UK
18-7196
0305-7518/09/064053+10
10.47276/lr.80.2.187
Original Papers
Self care groups and Ulcer prevention in Okegbala, Nigeria
J. Ebenso et al.
Self care groups and Ulcer prevention
EbensoJannine
a
MuyiwaLawrence T.
b
EbensoBassey E.
c
a
The Leprosy Mission International, 80 Windmill Road, Brentford, Middlesex, TW8 0QH, UK
b
The Leprosy Mission Nigeria, PMB 179 Minna, Niger State, Nigeria
c
School of Sociology & Social Policy, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
Correspondence to: Jannine Ebenso, The Leprosy Mission International, 80 Windmill Road, Brentford, Middlesex TW8 0QH, UK (e-mail: )
01062009
80
2
187
196
07052009
© Lepra
2009
Objective
To assess the impact of the three self-care Groups on ulcer prevalence and readmission rates in Okegbala hospital.
Design
A retrospective, descriptive study. The evaluation combined four data collection methods namely (i) records survey, (ii) semi-structured interviews of individual members of self-care groups, (iii) group discussions and (iv) key informant interviews.
Results
Record surveys show that the ulcer prevalence has decreased by almost 75% since the adoption of the self-care group; admissions to hospital for ulcer care have reduced, and the mean interval between admissions has increased by 7 months. Semi structured interviews and group discussions show that all members have a greater sense of control of their ulcers and general health; and that self-care groups have a potential of catalysing community solidarity and development.
Conclusions
This small study shows that self-care groups are valuable for reducing ulcers and giving members a greater sense of control of their ulcers and general health resulting in fewer hospital admissions. We recommend a multi-centre, controlled, prospective study incorporating different settings (e.g. urban, rural, near hospitals, within field leprosy programmes) to test these findings. Such a study has the potential of influencing policy and health-service reorientation of ulcer care in future.