An intensive self care training programme reduces admissions for the treatment of plantar ulcers

Abstract

Summary This paper deseribes, in detail, an intensive 14 day Self Care Training Programme that is eondueted at Lalgadh Leprosy Services Centre in Nepal. An evalu ' ation of the programme was undertaken in whieh hospital adrnission for infected plantar ulceration was the outcome measure. It was found that those who had undertaken the programme were less likely to have been admitted for hospital treatment in a 3-month follow-up period (X2 = 5 ·1, P = 0·02). An odds ratio of 1:1· 8 (95% CI = 0· 15-0·01) was also calculated. This paper presents an overview of the issues related to impairrn ent, a description of the Self Care Training Programme, an analysis of the evaluation results and a discussion of the findings.

Scoping review: Community‐based programmes with people affected by leprosy

“…There are no differences between each group of programmes of note, except that the programme related to empowerment is the only one that presents most of the participation indicators at the level of collaboration (score 3). Also, it is significant that involvement of women is the indicator with the lowest level (score 1) in six of the seven programmes .…”

“…Table describes the principal characteristics of the 30 studies included . They came from seven countries belonging to two WHO regions, Southwest Asia (20 programmes) and Africa (10 programmes) . The countries where most programmes were implemented were India (eight interventions) and Indonesia (seven interventions) .…”

“…The community intervention programmes ( n = 10) related to health are primarily aimed at self‐care groups for the management and prevention of ulcers and disabilities of both those with leprosy and their families (Table ). The programmes ( n = 3) related to education are mainly focused on raising awareness of the disease in schools and in communities.…”

“…Just seven studies contained information related to all five indicators represented in the form of spidergrams. Figure shows the different values of the indicators according to their place on the continuum of participation, and they are grouped by intervention type.…”

Current status of leprosy: Epidemiology, basic science and clinical perspectives

“…Treatment and ⁄ or surgical management, including reconstructions, should be provided for ulcers, and it is important that the patient understand the need for daily self-care and inspection for trauma. 86,87 Protective footwear and other tools are available to help patients improve their abilities and quality of life. 88 Communitybased rehabilitation programs and other socioeconomic rehabilitation are required to support patients and families.…”