02490nas a2200253   4500000000100000008004100001260003400042653005700076653002100133653002800154100001100182700001500193700001500208700001400223700001300237700001400250700001800264245018300282856009400465300001600559490000700575520162900582022002502211       2023                            d  bOxford University Press (OUP)10aPublic Health, Environmental and Occupational Health10aGeneral Medicine10aHealth (social science)1 aMol MM1 aMiedema JM1 avan Wijk R1 aAgarwal A1 aNayak PK1 aTiwari RK1 avan Brakel WH00aImpact of basic psychological support on stigma and the mental well-being of people with disabilities due to leprosy and lymphatic filariasis: a postintervention evaluation study  uhttps://academic.oup.com/inthealth/article-pdf/15/Supplement_3/iii70/54699558/ihad100.pdf  aiii70-iii780 v153 a<p><strong>Background:</strong> A peer support intervention, called basic psychological support for people affected by neglected tropical diseases (BPS-N), was piloted in India to improve mental well-being and social participation and to reduce stigma among people with disabilities due to leprosy or lymphatic filariasis. Preintervention and postintervention assessments showed improvements in mental well-being and reductions in depression and stigma. This study aimed to further evaluate this intervention at approximately 2 mo after its completion.</p>

<p><strong>Methods:</strong> Scales were administered to 62 clients to measure stigma, depression, mental well-being and participation levels. Interviews with 13 clients and six peer supporters were conducted. Results Stigma scores were significantly reduced at 2 mo postintervention compared with preintervention and postintervention. The improvement in mental well-being detected at immediate postintervention had not changed significantly 2 mo later. Depression levels were higher than at postintervention, but lower than at preintervention levels. No significant differences were found in median participation scores, but the number of clients with moderate and severe participation restrictions reduced significantly from postintervention to 2 mo follow-up. Qualitative results showed that clients received information about their condition and treatment, and that some experienced positive effects on their emotions and self-esteem.</p>

<p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> This study provides additional evidence on the proof of concept of BPS-N.&nbsp;</p>
  a1876-3413, 1876-3405