03132nas a2200337   4500000000100000008004100001260003400042653005700076653002100133653002800154653005100182653003000233653001200263100002200275700001400297700001100311700001400322700001300336700001100349700001300360700001300373700001500386700001300401700001400414245015600428856007500584300001200659490000700671520209100678022002502769       2024                            d  bOxford University Press (OUP)10aPublic Health, Environmental and Occupational Health10aGeneral Medicine10aHealth (social science)10amorbidity management and disability prevention10aLymphatic filariasis (LF)10aNigeria1 aAmanyi-Enegela JA1 aBadaki JA1 aPali M1 aOkunade F1 aKumbur J1 aOmoi S1 aIshaya R1 aOgoshi C1 aEmereuwa I1 aSankar G1 aQureshi B00aLessons from integrating mental health as part of lymphatic filariasis morbidity management and disability prevention services in Jigawa State, Nigeria  uhttps://academic.oup.com/inthealth/article/16/Supplement_1/i22/7636813  ai22-i290 v163 a<p>Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a neglected tropical disease affecting &amp;gt;120 million people worldwide. LF has debilitating effects on humans and leads to morbidity and sometimes irreversible disability. A significant proportion of persons affected by LF morbidity also suffer from ill health, such as depression, anxiety, pain, stigma and social isolation due to disfigurement, as well as loss of mobility, livelihood and income. Mental health is often overlooked as a component of morbidity management and disability prevention (MMDP) services, despite the high prevalence of depression and anxiety among people affected by LF. To address this gap, Christian Blind Mission (CBM) piloted a comprehensive approach providing morbidity management and disability prevention by integrating mental health as part of the MMDP care package. The participatory evaluation of the project reviewed the project documents and a review meeting, small group discussions and in-depth interviews with project stakeholders. Findings suggest that project training and service delivery targets were exceeded in most cases. In addition, the disability and gender disaggregated data highlights the interplay of gender and disability in accessing care and the existence of unmet mental health needs. The financial cost of transportation to utilise referrals or access other MMDP services, such as replenishing treatment supplies, was a major constraint in accessing services for LF morbidity patients and low levels of awareness, fear of hydrocoele surgery and social stigmatisation were reported. The project outcomes demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of integrating mental health as part of a comprehensive MMDP package of care. Integration strategies should target training of MMDP providers in basic mental health skills, screening for mental health issues and the provision of mental health services and other MMDP services within the same facilities. Integration is an important step towards comprehensive care for people affected by LF and other NTD morbidities and disabilities.</p>
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