Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39137215›Full record

ArticlePLoS neglected tropical diseases2024

Leprosy and lymphatic filariasis-related disability and psychosocial burden in northern Mozambique.

Robin van Wijk, Litos Raimundo, Domingos Nicala, Yuki Stakteas, Adelaide Cumbane, Humberto Muquingue, Julie Cliff, Wim van Brakel, Artur Manuel Muloliwa

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
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

3 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
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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

9 authors.

Robin van WijkNLR | until No Leprosy Remains, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0002-0969-4155
Litos RaimundoNLR Mozambique, Maputo/Nampula, Mozambique.
Domingos NicalaNLR Mozambique, Maputo/Nampula, Mozambique.
Yuki StakteasNLR Mozambique, Maputo/Nampula, Mozambique.
Adelaide CumbaneUniversidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique.
Humberto MuquingueUniversidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique.
Julie CliffUniversidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique.
Wim van BrakelNLR | until No Leprosy Remains, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Artur Manuel MuloliwaUniversidade Lúrio, Centro de Estudos Interdisciplinares Lúrio, Nampula, Mozambique.

Funding

Bill & Melinda Gates FoundationUK aid from the British governmentUnited States Agency for International Development
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionLeprosy and lymphatic filariasis (LF) are among the most disabling neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) that affect the citizens of Mozambique, especially in the Northern provinces. The irreversible impairments caused by these NTDs often lead to psychosocial consequences, including poor mental wellbeing, stigma and reduced social participation. Limited data on these consequences are available for Mozambique, which are urgently needed to better understand the true disease burden and support advocacy for scaling up interventions.

methodsA cross-sectional mixed-methods study was conducted. Mental distress was assessed with the Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20), participation restriction was assessed with the Participation Scale Short (PSS) and perceived stigma was assessed with the Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue affected persons stigma scale (EMIC-AP). Additionally, semi-structured interviews were conducted with persons affected by leprosy or LF.

resultsIn total, 127 persons affected by leprosy and 184 persons affected by LF were included in the quantitative portion of the study. For the qualitative portion, eight semi-structured interviews were conducted. In both disease groups, mental distress was found in 70% of participants. Moreover, 80% of persons affected by leprosy and 90% of persons affected by LF perceived stigma. Moderate to extreme participation restriction was found in approximately 43% of persons affected by leprosy and in 26% of the persons affected by LF. Persons affected by leprosy and LF felt excluded from society and experienced financial problems. More severe disabilities were associated with more severe outcomes for mental wellbeing, participation restriction and stigma. By contrast, participation in a self-care group was suggested to have a positive impact on these outcomes.

conclusionThe findings provide evidence that persons affected by leprosy and LF must not only confront physical impairments but also experience significant disability in the psychosocial domain, including mental distress, participation restriction and stigma. These challenges must be urgently addressed by NTD programmes to promote the inclusion and wellbeing of persons affected by NTDs.

Indexed as

Elephantiasis, FilarialLeprosyPersons with DisabilitiesSocial StigmaAdolescentAdultAgedCost of IllnessCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedMozambiqueNeglected DiseasesSurveys and Questionnaires

Identifiers

PMID39137215
PMCPMC11321553

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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.