Tools
Tools
Pryce, Joseph, Mableson, Hayley, Choudhary, R, Pandey, BD, Aley, D, Betts, Hannah, Mackenzie, Charles, Kelly-Hope, Louise 
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3330-7629 and Cross, H
(2018)
'Assessing the feasibility of integration of self-care for filarial lymphoedema into existing community leprosy self-help groups in Nepal'. BMC Public Health, Vol 18, Issue 201.
|
Text
BMC_public_health_ assessing the fesibility of integration.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (1MB) | Preview |
Abstract
Background
Lymphatic filariasis (LF) and leprosy are disabling infectious diseases endemic in Nepal. LF infection can lead to lymphoedema and hydrocoele, while secondary effects of leprosy infection include impairments to hands, eyes and feet. The disabling effects of both conditions can be managed through self-care and the supportive effects of self-help groups (SHGs). A network of SHGs exists for people affected by leprosy in four districts in Nepal’s Central Development Region, however no such service exists for people affected by LF. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of integrating LF affected people into existing leprosy SHGs in this area.
Methods
A survey was conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire to elicit information on: (i) participant characteristics, clinical manifestation and disease burden; (ii) participants’ knowledge of management of their condition and access to services; and (iii) participants’ knowledge and perceptions of the alternate condition (LF affected participants’ knowledge of leprosy and vice versa) and attitudes towards integration.
Results
A total of 52 LF affected and 53 leprosy affected participants were interviewed from 14 SHGs. On average, leprosy affected participants were shown to have 1.8 times greater knowledge of self-care techniques, and practiced 2.5 times more frequently than LF affected participants. Only a quarter of LF affected participants had accessed a health service for their condition, compared with 94.3% of leprosy affected people accessing a service (including SHGs), at least once a week. High levels of stigma were perceived by both groups towards the alternate condition, however, the majority of LF (79%) and leprosy (94.3%) affected participants stated that they would consider attending an integrated SHG.
Conclusions
LF affected participants need to increase their knowledge of self-care and access to health services. Despite stigma being a potential barrier, attitudes towards integration were positive, suggesting that the SHGs may be a good platform for LF affected people to start self-care in this area.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | WC Communicable Diseases > Infection. Bacterial Infections > Other Bacterial Infections. Zoonotic Bacterial Infections > WC 335 Leprosy WC Communicable Diseases > Tropical and Parasitic Diseases > WC 880 Filariasis and related conditions (General) WH Hemic and Lymphatic Systems > Lymphatic System > WH 700 Lymphatic system. Lymphatic diseases (General) |
| Faculty: Department: | Biological Sciences > Department of Tropical Disease Biology |
| Digital Object Identifer (DOI): | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-5099-0 |
| Depositing User: | Stacy Murtagh |
| Date Deposited: | 01 Feb 2018 15:23 |
| Last Modified: | 06 Sep 2019 10:55 |
| URI: | https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/8146 |
Statistics
Actions (login required)
 |
Edit Item |