Community Outreach and Awareness Creation about Lymphatic Filariasis

Translating data into action.

The NTDs advocacy club in University of Health and Allied Sciences Ghana led by the president (Pious Aboagye) took charge to mobilize a team of 40 passionate student volunteers, we embarked on a mission to the Adabraka community in the Hohoe municipality to raise awareness about lymphatic filariasis, a neglected tropical disease that continues to affect lives in Ghana and other tropical regions.

Why We Chose Adabraka

Data from the Hohoe municipality revealed that lymphatic filariasis is endemic in the community. This alarming reality strongly influenced our decision to carry out the outreach there. We knew that education and advocacy were critical tools to dispel myths and empower residents with accurate knowledge.

Community Entry

Before beginning, we respectfully engaged the chiefs and the assemblyman. Their support was vital in opening doors and ensuring that our message reached households with trust and legitimacy.

Breaking Myths and Educating

During the outreach, one lady mentioned that the disease was caused by a curse. This highlighted the importance of our mission: to replace misconceptions with facts. We educated the community on:

• Causes: spread by mosquito bites, not curses.

• Signs and symptoms: including swelling of limbs and discomfort.

• Preventive measures: such as mosquito control and mass drug administration.

Impact in Numbers

• 82 households reached

• 120 individuals educated

• 7 suspected cases identified and referred to the hospital for further management

These numbers reflect not just statistics, but lives touched and hope restored.

Reflections

The outreach was more than an educational campaign; it was a bridge between science and culture, between health and belief. By engaging leaders and directly addressing misconceptions, we strengthened community resilience against lymphatic filariasis.