7 Reasons Why Chronic Disease Treatment is Prematurely Terminated in African Societies.

With the levels of chronic disease on the rise in the world we live in today, and especially in Africa and the poor countries of Asia and Latin America, there is much to worry about taking into consideration the increased dependence on lifelong treatments and the challenges of self-management when living with chronic conditions.

 Unfortunately these governments lack the willingness and/or the material possibility to carry on statistical studies to determine the percentage of those who abandon such treatments and for exactly what reasons, the exception being the World HIV/AIDS and TB programs which directly work with most governments worldwide, overseeing that free or reduced cost of treatments reach those in need, with active Monitoring and Evaluation.

A chronic disease is one that persists for a long time, lasting 3 months or more, by the definition of the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics. Chronic diseases generally can be controlled but not prevented by vaccines or cured by medication. They can develop as a result of health damaging behaviors, for example tobacco use, lack of physical activity, and poor eating habits which are the major contributors to the leading chronic diseases. They can be congenital (a condition existing at or before birth) like cancers in newborns and some heart disorders. Others are developed in some cases of exposure to radiation for example, in the case of some blood cancers.

Chronic diseases like HIV/AIDS are transmitted through infection of body fluids. The leading chronic diseases in developed countries include (in alphabetical order) arthritis, cardiovascular disease such as heart attacks and stroke, cancer such as breast and colon cancer, diabetes, epilepsy and seizures, obesity, and oral health problems. Chronic diseases tend to become more common with age.

However their manner of appearance, the underlying fact is that these treatments are usually lifelong. Patients abandon treatments for one reason or another. Here is a look at the most typical reasons why patients with chronic diseases abandon treatments. No formal statistical study was done. All information stems from active longtime experience in the field, in Cameroon, typical of many other similar societies.

1.     Lack of willpower, psychological breakdown and depression.

Some patients after taking tons of medication, or continuous dialysis over long periods of time, get fed up and decide that ‘enough is enough’. Some declare they'd rather prefer to DIE than go through the burden. Patients should be prepared psychologically to face their illnesses and possible outcomes, and their new accompanying lifestyle changes before diving into treatment options.

2.     Stigmatisation and absence of a fulfilled life.

Physical chronic conditions such as diabetes, HIV/AIDS, cancers, epilepsy and mental illnesses like psychosis are stigmatised. This has become enough reason for some patients to discontinue treatment regardless of the possible consequences.

3.     Neglect by family and care givers.

Chronic disease management makes demands on the time, emotions and physical capabilities of caregivers. Increasing dependence on family and significant others for medical and self-care, particularly within contexts of poverty, can cause emotional conflict and breakdown in marital and intimate relationships, as well as family abandonment.

4.     Poverty and the inability to keep up with buying of medication.

Chronic treatments not under government subvention can be very pricey and at some point become the main reason for discontinuing treatment.

5.     Intolerance to medication, side effects and allergies. 

Drugs usually come with side effects and allergies for a reserved fraction of the population. Some allergic reactions and side effects could be life threatening. This is a direct red flag toward the use of the drug in question.

6.     Referrals by word of mouth by family and peers to native doctors.

In African societies in recent years, many have abandoned medical treatments in favour of native and ‘witch’ doctors through referrals by friends and family who got treated of one ailment or another.

7.     DIVINE words from some contemporary pastors and Men of God.

With the recent mass proliferation of churches continent-wide, some “Men of God” succeed in convincing followers and worshippers with chronic conditions to abandon medical treatments and have FAITH for total Healing to occur. There have been consequences.

Different approaches have to be implemented in tackling this problem from the training of medical personnel (to counsel and prepare patients accordingly) to government policies and interventions and community education at large. Chronic illnesses are on the rise and diagnosis is just the beginning of the problem.