Patterns, Perceptions and Management of Cerebro-spinal Meningitis in the Kassena-Nankana East and West Districts

Abstract

Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) has been a long-standing health concern especially in tropical West Africa. CSM has been studied extensively especially in its immunological and clinical aspects in the study area in particular and the northern part of Ghana in general. However, begging questions and gaps remain in its comprehensive assessment in local-specific contexts. Consequently, the objective of the study was to gain better insight into its patterns, perceptions and management in the Kassena-Nankana East and West Districts within the broader context of the Meningitis Belt of Africa. Guided by Meade’s human ecological triangle, a Geographical Information System’s Approach was used to generate a rate map to show magnitude and spatial patterns. Charts were also used to show seasonality and demographic patterns. A comprehensive approach was also adopted in assessing views on the issues of perceptions and management. A sample size of 250 respondents was drawn from the general public and 100 respondents comprising people who have experienced the disease before in the last two years was also considered. The study revealed that, meningitis is still an issue to reckon with in the study area, as it portrays rates higher than the national average and falling within the hyper endemic zone of the Meningitis Belt of Africa. Besides, marked spatial variations have also been observed in relation to sub zones, as well as with demographic categorisations (age and sex) and seasonality. The study showed that, majority of the people have knowledge about the disease, however, both naturalistic and supernatural attributions are made for causes of meningitis. With the variations observed in relation to the spatial, seasonal as well as demographic patterns, it was concluded that a holistic and strategic approach is required in dealing with the specifics, while recommending further research into the causes and extent of these observations.