RESUMO
Seeking a solution to bring down the prevalence of simple plantar ulcers in the field, Damien Foundation India Trust (DFIT), Chennai, developed a curriculum to teach the field staff of all its projects. The purpose was to make patients self-reliant in the care of their plantar ulcers in their homes. The strategy used was to make patients take care of their ulcers using tools found in their homes and surroundings and become responsible for the care of their limbs. This strategy was implemented in eight projects of DFIT and the programme was followed regularly for one year. Regular monitoring and evaluation showed that under this strategy the prevalence of plantar ulcers was reduced by about 50%.
Assuntos
Atitude Frente a Saúde , Úlcera do Pé/terapia , Hanseníase/psicologia , Educação de Pacientes como Assunto/métodos , Autocuidado/métodos , Pessoal Técnico de Saúde/educação , Currículo , Feminino , Úlcera do Pé/epidemiologia , Humanos , Índia/epidemiologia , Masculino , Ocupações/classificação , PrevalênciaRESUMO
The effect of self-care learning by leprosy patients in prevention of disabilities was studied by adapting two strategies in two subcentres of a project in South India, one through patient education by trained field staff and the other through community education involving trained animators and health committees. One of the subcentres was taken as control where neither of the strategies was employed. In terms of results, though both the strategies were found to be effective in containing occurrence of new deformities among high risk patients and healing of trophic ulcers in hands and feet, strategy I i.e. self-care education of patients by concerned field personnel without prejudice to their routine work is recommended because of ease in diffusion of strategy.