02184nas a2200325   4500000000100000008004100001260003500042653001500077653002500092653003900117653001000156653002600166653002500192653001100217653002800228100001600256700001600272700001400288700001500302700001500317700001400332700001300346700001500359700001200374700001300386245012000399856005300519490000900572520127700581       2015                            d  bHindawi Publishing Corporation10aDepression10aLymphatic filariasis10aNeglected tropical diseases (NTDs)10aNepal10aPsychological aspects10aQualitative Research10aStress10aTraditional health care1 aAdhikari RK1 aSherchand J1 aMishra SR1 aRanabhat K1 aPokharel A1 aDevkota P1 aMishra D1 aGhimire YC1 aGelal K1 aPaudel R00aHealth-seeking behaviors and self-care practices of people with filarial lymphoedema in Nepal: A qualitative study.  uhttp://www.hindawi.com/journals/jtm/2015/260359/0 v20153 a<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>