02726nas a2200337   4500000000100000008004100001260003400042653005700076653002100133653002800154100001600182700001400198700001200212700001700224700001600241700001400257700001400271700001400285700001700299700001200316700001400328700001200342700001400354700001100368245018100379856009200560300001200652490000700664520169200671022002502363       2023                            d  bOxford University Press (OUP)10aPublic Health, Environmental and Occupational Health10aGeneral Medicine10aHealth (social science)1 aChowdhury S1 aAdekeye O1 aMcRae A1 aOlorunfemi T1 aDubukumah L1 aMakinde O1 aOzokede E1 aEwemade J1 aAbdulkadir S1 aAyuba R1 aHabibat S1 aGurma M1 aThomson R1 aDean L00aA holistic approach to well-being and neglected tropical diseases: evaluating the impact of community-led support groups in Nigeria using community-based participatory research  uhttps://academic.oup.com/inthealth/article-pdf/15/Supplement_1/i87/49573414/ihac084.pdf  ai87-i990 v153 a<p>Background: Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) affect around 1 billion people, many living in the poorest parts of the world. NTDs often lead to serious long-term physical impairments. Stigma, disability, poverty and social isolation interact, resulting in poor quality of life and significant psychosocial impacts. The holistic health and psychosocial needs of persons affected by NTDs are often overlooked in integrated NTD programme design and research. Furthermore, the viewpoints of persons affected are often absent and spaces for empowerment and advocacy are limited.</p>

<p>Methods: Using a community-based participatory research design, our study partnered with persons affected and caregivers as co-researchers to address this gap. Through the process, we co-designed and implemented community-based support groups in Kaduna and Kwara, Nigeria, where NTDs are endemic. This paper utilises photovoice with support group facilitators (persons affected); participant observation of group meetings; rapid micronarratives with support group members; and key informant interviews with programme implementers at the state and local government area levels to explore the impact of the support groups from the perspective of people affected by NTDs and other health system actors.</p>

<p>Results: Perceived impacts of the support groups included a sense of ownership and empowerment, stigma reduction, improved self-esteem, improved health knowledge and health outcomes and capacity strengthening through vocational training.</p>

<p>Conclusions: Support groups, as community spaces of healing, offer a low-cost holistic intervention for chronic disease and disability.</p>
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