02689nas a2200277 4500000000100000008004100001260002300042653005700065653001800122653001500140653002100155653001000176653001800186100001900204700001800223700001300241700001400254700001600268700001800284245008400302856018800386300001200574490000700586520179300593022002502386 2020 d bInforma UK Limited 10 aPublic Health, Environmental and Occupational Health 10 aHealth Policy 10 aDepression 10 amental wellbeing 10 aNepal 10 aSocial Stigma 1 avan Dorst MMAR 1 avan Netten WJ 1 aWaltz MM 1 aPandey BD 1 aChoudhary R 1 avan Brakel WH 00 aDepression and mental wellbeing in people affected by leprosy in southern Nepal uhttps://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/16549716.2020.1815275#aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGFuZGZvbmxpbmUuY29tL2RvaS9wZGYvMTAuMTA4MC8xNjU0OTcxNi4yMDIwLjE4MTUyNzU/bmVlZEFjY2Vzcz10cnVlQEBAMA== a1815275 0 v13 3 aBackground
Leprosy, a leading cause of disability, remains endemic in southern Nepal. Alongside physical impairment and stigmatization, many people affected by leprosy suffer from mental health problems.
Objectives
This study had two objectives: (a) Establishing a baseline level of mental wellbeing and depression among people affected by leprosy in southern Nepal, and (b) Examining factors that influence mental wellbeing and depression in this target group.
Methods
A cross-sectional survey was conducted using three interview-administered questionnaires measuring level of depression (PHQ-9), mental wellbeing status (WEMWBS) and level of stigma (5-QSI-AP). Random clustering sampling was used to include leprosy-affected people from Self Help Groups (SHGs) and the reference group was matched based on socio-demographic characteristics. All participants were adults with no additional major morbidities. A sample of 142 persons affected by leprosy and 54 community controls were included.
Results
People affected by leprosy participating in SHGs had a significantly lower level of mental wellbeing and higher level of depression than the general population. Both mental wellbeing and depression were influenced by gender and the level of stigma. In addition, the level of depression was associated with the disability grade of leprosy-affected people.
Conclusion
Leprosy-affected people need mental health-care interventions at different organizational levels, with attention to identifying individuals at increased risk for mental health problems or with additional needs. These findings highlight the demand for further research on specific interventions to improve the mental health of leprosy-affected people. a1654-9716, 1654-9880