02711nas a2200361   4500000000100000008004100001260003400042653005700076653002100133653002800154653003600182653001500218653003000233653001800263653003200281100001200313700001400325700001200339700001800351700001300369700001400382700001500396700002300411700001400434700001400448700001100462245020400473856007500677300001200752490000700764520155300771022002502324       2024                            d  bOxford University Press (OUP)10aPublic Health, Environmental and Occupational Health10aGeneral Medicine10aHealth (social science)10achronic disease self-management10adepression10aLymphatic filariasis (LF)10aMental Health10aNeglected Tropical Diseases1 aSadiq S1 aHamre KES1 aKumar S1 aBazur-Leidy S1 aDésir L1 aDésir MM1 aGilbert MC1 aBeau de Rochars VM1 aTelfort M1 aNoland GS1 aByrd E00aA pilot study to address the mental health of persons living with lymphatic filariasis in Léogâne, Haiti: Implementing a chronic disease self-management program using a stepped-wedge cluster design  uhttps://academic.oup.com/inthealth/article/16/Supplement_1/i68/7636814  ai68-i770 v163 a<p><strong>Background:</strong> Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) inflict significant comorbid disability on the most vulnerable communities; yet interventions targeting the mental health of affected communities are lacking. A pilot study to assess the effectiveness of a chronic disease self-management program (CDSMP) was introduced to lymphatic filariasis peer support groups in Léogâne, Haiti.</p>

<p><strong>Methods:</strong> Using a closed-cohort stepped-wedge cluster trial design, Hope Clubs were assigned into Arm 1 (n=118 members) and Arm 2 (n=92). Household surveys, measuring self-rated health, depression, disease self-efficacy, perceived social support, and quality of life, were conducted at baseline (before CDSMP); midpoint (after Arm 1/before Arm 2 completed CDSMP); and endpoint (after CDSMP). Non-Hope Club member patients (n=74) were evaluated at baseline for comparison.</p>

<p><strong>Results:</strong> Fifty percent of Hope Club members (Arm 1: 48.3%, Arm 2: 52.2%) screened positive for depression at baseline, compared with 36.5% of non-Hope Club members. No statistically significant differences were found in outcome measures between intervention observation periods. At endpoint, depressive illness reduced to 28.7% (Arm 1) and 27.6% (Arm 2).</p>

<p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> The intervention was feasible to integrate into Hope Clubs, showed overall positive effects and reduced depressive symptoms. More studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy of implementing CDSMP in the NTD context.&nbsp;</p>
  a1876-3413, 1876-3405