ArticleBMC infectious diseases2019
The social, physical and economic impact of lymphedema and hydrocele: a matched cross-sectional study in rural Nigeria.
Article in BMC infectious diseases, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 23 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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Who cites it
23 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 34 citations in OpenAlex.
- The psychosocial and emotional burden of lymphatic filariasis: A systematic review.PLoS neglected tropical diseases · 2025Pooled it
- The psychosocial impacts of skin-neglected tropical diseases (SNTDs) as perceived by the affected persons: A systematic review.PLoS neglected tropical diseases · 2024Pooled it
- Impact of parasitic infection on mental health and illness in humans in Africa: a systematic review.Parasitology · 2022Pooled it
- Experiences of stigma and violence among persons affected by skin neglected tropical diseases (NTDs): longitudinal analysis from an integrated intervention in Liberia.International journal for equity in health · 2026Article
- Post elimination of lymphatic filariasis: a situation analysis of brugian filariasis and vector potentialities within the filarial transmission belt in Sri Lanka.Parasites & vectors · 2026Article
- Lymphatic Complications in Patients Undergoing Melanoma Surgery in Peru.Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open · 2026Article
- The psychosocial impact of disability and stigma among persons affected by leprosy and lymphatic filariasis in India.PLOS mental health · 2026Article
- Exploring the value of community engagement activities within a participatory action research study to improve care for people affected by skin neglected tropical diseases in Liberia.Research involvement and engagement · 2025Article
- Implementation of basic package of care improved socio-economic conditions of lymphedema patients in rural Mali after two years follow-up.PLOS global public health · 2025Article
- Exploring barriers to accessing treatment for Lymphatic Filariasis through a socio-ecological lens in Buvuma and Napak districts, Uganda.PLoS neglected tropical diseases · 2025Article
- Validation of routine lymphatic filariasis morbidity surveillance in the Upper West Region, Ghana.PLOS global public health · 2025Article
- Managing Lymphedema Induced by Lymphatic Filariasis: Implementing and Improving Care at the Individual and Programmatic Levels.The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene · 2024Article
- Leprosy and lymphatic filariasis-related disability and psychosocial burden in northern Mozambique.PLoS neglected tropical diseases · 2024Article
- The Role of Inflammation in Lymphedema: A Narrative Review of Pathogenesis and Opportunities for Therapeutic Intervention.International journal of molecular sciences · 2024Review
- Lessons from integrating mental health as part of lymphatic filariasis morbidity management and disability prevention services in Jigawa State, Nigeria.International health · 2024Article
- Understanding gender and its intersection with social stratifiers on prevention and care seeking behavior of lymphatic filariasis in Nepal.Infectious diseases of poverty · 2023Article
- Exploring the well-being of people affected by skin NTDs in Kaduna and Kwara States, Nigeria: a photovoice and scoping review study.International health · 2023Article
- Physiotherapy practice in lymphoedema in South Africa: A survey.The South African journal of physiotherapy · 2023Article
- Risk Factors of Noncompliance to Preventive Mass Drug Administration for Eliminating Lymphatic Filariasis: A Case-Control Study in Jawi District, Northwest Ethiopia.Journal of tropical medicine · 2022Article
- The Connection between Climate Change, Surgical Care and Neglected Tropical Diseases.Annals of global health · 2022Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
3 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundLymphatic filariasis (LF) is a mosquito-borne parasitic disease and a major cause of disability worldwide. To effectively plan morbidity management programmes, it is important to estimate disease burden and evaluate the needs of patients. This study aimed to estimate patient numbers and characterise the physical, social and economic impact of LF in in rural Nigeria.
methodsThis is a matched cross-sectional study which identified lymphedema and hydrocele patients with the help of district health officers and community-directed distributors of mass drug administration programmes. A total of 52 cases were identified and matched to 52 apparently disease-free controls, selected from the same communities and matched by age and sex. Questionnaires and narrative interviews were used to characterise the physical, social and economic impact of lymphedema and hydrocele.
resultsForty-eight cases with various stages of lower limb lymphedema, and 4 with hydrocele were identified. 40% of all cases reported feeling stigma and were 36 times (95% CI: 5.18-1564.69) more likely to avoid forms of social participation. Although most cases engaged in some form of income-generating activity, these were low paid employment, and on average cases spent significantly less time than controls working. The economic effects of lower income were exacerbated by increased healthcare spending, as cases were 86 times (95% CI: 17.48-874.90) more likely to spend over US $125 on their last healthcare payment.
conclusionThis study highlights the importance of patient-search as a means of estimating the burden of LF morbidity in rural settings. Findings from this work also confirm that LF causes considerable psychosocial and economic suffering, all of which adversely affect the mental health of patients. It is therefore important to incorporate mental health care as a major component of morbidity management programmes.
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