Evidence map›Paper›PMID 34625080›Full record

ArticleBMC health services research2021

A qualitative study on the implementation of a holistic care package for control and management of lymphoedema: experience from a pilot intervention in northern Ethiopia.

Oumer Ali, Mersha Kinfe, Maya Semrau, Abebayehu Tora, Abraham Tesfaye, Asrat Mengiste, Gail Davey, Abebaw Fekadu

Open access · goldAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC health services research, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 10 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
10citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
0.4field-weighted citation impact, top 37% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

10 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 9 citations in OpenAlex.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors at 4 institutions in 2 countries.

Oumer AliCDT-Africa, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. oumeral33@gmail.com.
Mersha KinfeCDT-Africa, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Maya SemrauCentre for Global Health Research, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Falmer Campus, University of Sussex, Brighton, BN1 9PX, UK.
Abebayehu ToraCDT-Africa, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Abraham TesfayeCDT-Africa, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Asrat MengisteCDT-Africa, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Gail DaveyCentre for Global Health Research, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Falmer Campus, University of Sussex, Brighton, BN1 9PX, UK.
Abebaw FekaduCDT-Africa, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Addis Ababa University · ETBrighton and Sussex Medical School · GBUniversity of Sussex · GBWolaita Sodo University · ET

Funding

Medical Research Council MR/M025470/1
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundNeglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) such as podoconiosis, lymphatic filariasis (LF) and leprosy mainly affect communities in low resource settings. These diseases are associated with physical disability due to lymphoedema as well as poor mental health and psychosocial outcomes. Integration of care across these NTDs at primary health care level, which includes mental health and psychosocial care alongside physical health care, is increasingly recommended.

methodsA holistic integrated care package was developed and piloted as part of the EnDPoINT project in Gusha district, Awi zone, Ethiopia. The intervention was conducted at the health care organization, health facility and community levels. To assess the impact of the care package in terms of acceptability, scalability, sustainability and barriers to implementation, a qualitative study was conducted in January 2020. This included four focus group discussions (29 participants) and ten key informant interviews with decision makers, health professionals, patients, and community representatives.

resultsThe integrated lymphoedema care package was found to be efficient compared to vertical programs in saving time and resources. It also resulted in improved awareness of the causes, treatment and prevention of lymphoedema, in marked improvements in the lymphoedema, and in reduced stigma and discrimination. The care package was found to be acceptable to patients, health professionals and decision makers. The barriers to integrated care were unrealistic patient expectations, inadequate dissemination across health workers, and poor transportation access. Health professionals, decision makers and patients believed the integrated lymphoedema care package to be scalable and sustainable.

conclusionThe integrated holistic care package was found to be acceptable to patients, health professionals and decision makers. We recommend its scale-up to other endemic districts.

Indexed as

ElephantiasisLymphedemaDelivery of Health CareEthiopiaHumansPilot ProjectsDisabilityLymphoedemaNTDsPsychosocial

Identifiers

PMID34625080
PMCPMC8501530
OpenAlexW3157135529

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.