Mycetoma can prolong treatment, coupled with the severe shortage or weakness of healthcare services provided to patients. This has negative economic, social, and psychological impacts on the patient, their family, and society as a whole. Examples include:
Economic Impacts:
- The high financial costs of treatment (diagnostic, therapeutic, clinical, transportation, and living expenses) impact the family’s economic situation.
- The patient’s prolonged treatment period may result in the loss or reduction of their monthly income.
- The patient’s reduced or nonexistent income may lead to borrowing or pushing their children to work early.
- The patient’s retirement from work due to illness has economic impacts on their family and community.
Social and Psychological Impacts:
- The patients’ prolonged hospital stay may make them prefer to remain ill and stay at home rather than be away from their family.
- Some patients may refuse to stay in the hospital for extended periods due to feelings of isolation or a lack of social activities.
- Family ties may collapse as a result of a spouse requesting a divorce due to chronic illness or fear of infection.
- Some patients may refuse to maintain relationships with friends and neighbors because they may view them as helpless and pitiful.
- The patient’s inability to meet their personal needs without assistance may lead to depression.
- The negative psychological impact on the patient and their family in the event of amputation of the affected limb or the development of deformities.
- The patient may develop hostile behavior toward those around them as a result of the pity they show, which triggers feelings of inferiority and inadequacy.