Author(s)

Spéro H. Raoul Hounkpatin^1*, Fatiou Alabi Bouraima¹, Ulrich B. Vodouhe², Omer Adjibode¹, Marius Claude Flatin¹, Prosper Gandaho³

¹Department of Surgery and Surgical Specialties, Faculty of Medicine, University of Parakou, Parakou, Benin.
²Department of Surgery and Surgical Specialties, Faculty of Sciences and Health, University of Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Benin.
³Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, Faculty of Medicine, University of Parakou, Parakou, Benin.

Introduction: Goiter often poses aesthetic disgrace problem. The psychosocial impacts of goiter, in particular in woman may be significant. Objective: studying the psychological and social impacts of the disease in goiter patients within the African context and their consequences on the treatment. Methods: It was a transversal study that took place from May 1to July 31, 2011 in the Collines and Donga departments situated in the center and the north of Benin. The study consisted of a survey conducted through an individual discussion based on questionnaire submitted to goiter patients who accepted to provide their answers. Results: This survey involved 86 patients of which 83 women and 3 men. Their average age was 43.7 ± 13.41. Goiter was noticeable in the totality of the patients. 68.6% of patients declared that they experienced on daily basis the shame caused by the disease. 66% thought that it was a natural disease; however, 27.9% believed that it was caused by bewitchment or sorcery. 46.5% and 37.2% resorted to modern and indigenous medicine respectively; 16.3% made no therapeutic move. Despite the psychosocial impacts of the disease, 50% of the patients rejected surgical intervention possibility. The core motives they raised were lack of financial means (34.8%), disease recurrence fright (23.3%), anesthesia fright (16.3%), and surgical fright (14%). Conclusion: Despite the psychological impacts of the disease, strong resistance exists probably more on cultural aspect than the motives mentioned by thyroidectomy patients.

Goiter, Iodine, Stigmatization, Thyroidectomy, Psychology

Hounkpatin, S. , Bouraima, F. , Vodouhe, U. , Adjibode, O. , Flatin, M. and Gandaho, P. (2018) Psychosocial Experience in Goiter Patients. International Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, 7, 367-374. doi: 10.4236/ijohns.2018.76037.