Table 2 Summary of physical, psychosocial, and economic effects of yaws

• Skin manifestations with bone/cartilage deformity

• Multiple scars make skin rough

• Irritable because itchy

• Disturbs work due to the itch

• Bone pains

• Affects activities of daily living because of depression, isolation, discrimination of others

• Disgusted and depressed

• Embarrassed to go out

• Ashamed due to (+) VDRL, “dirty” blood

• Avoids others, afraid to infect others/be infected

• Disappointed, because he cannot work abroad

• Income-depleting

• Cannot earn a living (ex. could not go fishing)

• Normal activities of daily living in early stage, difficulty if late stage

• Affects daily routine because of cleaning the wound

• Being bullied and ashamed

• Playmates would tease affected students

• Does not want to go to school

• Does not want to mingle/interact with others

• Hinders overseas employment due to (+) serological tests during pre-employment screening

• Very degrading, repulsive because of the smell (fishy) and appearance of disease

• Lesions are unsightly, unhygienic

• “Kadiri” (disgusting)

• Stigma when applying for work abroad because one is thought to be positive for syphilis

• Cannot work well because of stigma

• Pregnant patients with (+) RPR not able to work abroad

• Unfit for work abroad

• Unfit for employment

• Suspected or considered promiscuous or sexually immoral (they think I use a “dirty’ woman)

• No sexual contact

• No money to spend for treatment

• No effect

• No stigma because of poor knowledge and little understanding from community

• Not applicable, because patient is in the pediatric age group

• Not applicable, since patient is elderly

• Still interacts with others

• Not observed in community