@article{25817,
  keywords = {Depression, Lymphatic filariasis, Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), Nepal, Psychological aspects, Qualitative Research, Stress, Traditional health care},
  author = {Adhikari RK and Sherchand J and Mishra SR and Ranabhat K and Pokharel A and Devkota P and Mishra D and Ghimire YC and Gelal K and Paudel R},
  title = {Health-seeking behaviors and self-care practices of people with filarial lymphoedema in Nepal: A qualitative study.},
  abstract = {<p>Lymphatic filariasis is endemic in Nepal. This study aimed to investigate health-seeking behaviors and self-care practices of people with filarial Lymphoedema in Nepal.<br />
Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted using qualitative methods in three endemic districts. Twenty-three patients with current Lymphoedema were recruited in the study.<br />
Results. Hydrocele was found to be a well-known condition and a major health problem in the studied communities. People with Lymphoedema primarily sought health care from traditional healers, whereas sometimes home-based care was their first treatment. Later Ayurvedic and allopathic hospital-based care were sought. Respondents reported various psychological problems such as difficulty in engaging in sexual intercourse, anxiety, worry and stress, depression, low self-esteem, feeling weak, fear of being abandoned, and fear of transmitting disease to the children. Standard foot care practices except washing were largely absent.<br />
Conclusions. Lymphoedema in the limbs and hydrocele were found to be major health problems. The traditional health care providers were the first contact of care for the majority of respondents. Only a few patients had been practicing standard foot care practices.</p>
},
  year = {2015},
  journal = {Journal of tropical medicine},
  volume = {2015},
  publisher = {Hindawi Publishing Corporation},
  url = {http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jtm/2015/260359/},
  doi = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/260359},
  language = {eng},
}