Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41348834›Full record

ArticlePLoS neglected tropical diseases2025

Fostering empowerment: Transition from self-help groups to cooperatives in leprosy-affected communities in Nepal.

Dilip Shrestha, Bijaya Shrestha, Subi Ansari, Sangeet Sharma, Suraj Puri, Ashesh Shakya, Divya Tiwari, Samudra Pandey, Pramila Aryal, Bishnu Dhungana and 3 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–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

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
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

13 authors.

Dilip ShresthaAnandaban Hospital, The Leprosy Mission Nepal, Tika Bhairav, Lalitpur, Kathmandu, Nepal.ORCID 0000-0001-6234-4288
Bijaya ShresthaAnandaban Hospital, The Leprosy Mission Nepal, Tika Bhairav, Lalitpur, Kathmandu, Nepal.ORCID 0000-0002-6738-8201
Subi AnsariAnandaban Hospital, The Leprosy Mission Nepal, Tika Bhairav, Lalitpur, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Sangeet SharmaAnandaban Hospital, The Leprosy Mission Nepal, Tika Bhairav, Lalitpur, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Suraj PuriAnandaban Hospital, The Leprosy Mission Nepal, Tika Bhairav, Lalitpur, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Ashesh ShakyaAnandaban Hospital, The Leprosy Mission Nepal, Tika Bhairav, Lalitpur, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Divya TiwariAnandaban Hospital, The Leprosy Mission Nepal, Tika Bhairav, Lalitpur, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Samudra PandeyAnandaban Hospital, The Leprosy Mission Nepal, Tika Bhairav, Lalitpur, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Pramila AryalAnandaban Hospital, The Leprosy Mission Nepal, Tika Bhairav, Lalitpur, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Bishnu DhunganaAnandaban Hospital, The Leprosy Mission Nepal, Tika Bhairav, Lalitpur, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Jemish AcharyaAnandaban Hospital, The Leprosy Mission Nepal, Tika Bhairav, Lalitpur, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Shovakhar KandelAnandaban Hospital, The Leprosy Mission Nepal, Tika Bhairav, Lalitpur, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Indra Bahadur NapitAnandaban Hospital, The Leprosy Mission Nepal, Tika Bhairav, Lalitpur, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Funding

National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) NIHR200132
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionAlthough leprosy is curable, many affected individuals continue to face disability, stigma, and poverty. In Nepal, sustaining progress after elimination remains challenging, making community-based approaches such as self-care and self-help groups crucial for long-term health and social inclusion. This study investigates how self-help groups and cooperatives contribute to sustaining community-driven leprosy management efforts.

methodsFor this study only qualitative data are utilized which involves people affected by leprosy, single women, community stakeholders, and facilitators. Conventional content analysis was employed to examine the data, focusing on participants' experiences and perceptions.

resultsSelf-help groups were instrumental in reducing social stigma and promoting social inclusion for marginalized individuals. These groups empowered members by building skills in hygiene, self-care, awareness of gender-based violence, and financial management, enabling them to assert their rights, manage finances, and contribute to household decisions, thereby fostering long-term socio-economic resilience. Transitioning to a cooperative model provided legal recognition and financial security, with leadership and trust being crucial for continued growth.

conclusionsThe transition to cooperatives offers a promising path for sustainable development, ensuring legal recognition and financial stability while reducing stigma and improving societal perceptions towards leprosy, disability, and marginalized communities.

Indexed as

EmpowermentLeprosySelf-Help GroupsAdultCooperative BehaviorFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedNepalSocial Stigma

Identifiers

PMID41348834
PMCPMC12680263

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.