Participatory Development and Assessment of Audio-Delivered Interventions and Written Material and Their Impact on the Perception, Knowledge, and Attitudes Toward Leprosy in Nigeria: Protocol for a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: In Nigeria, similar to many leprosy-endemic countries, leprosy is highly stigmatized. High levels of stigma among community members as well as internalized stigma among persons affected by leprosy often result in negative psychosocial consequences for those affected. To break this vicious cycle, it is important to conduct context-specific behavioral change activities. Although written material has been successful in improving knowledge and perception, it is not suitable for populations with low educational levels. Audio-delivered interventions are likely to be more suitable for people who are illiterate. This study proposes to assess the impact of an audio-delivered intervention on the perception (knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs) of community members with regard to leprosy in Nigeria. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the impact of audio-delivered and written health education on the perception of leprosy. Specific objectives are to (1) investigate the perception (local beliefs, knowledge, and attitudes) of community members toward leprosy and persons affected by leprosy; (2) investigate whether there is a difference in impact on perception between participants who have received audio-delivered health education and those who have received written health education, with specific reference to gender differences and differences between rural and urban areas; and (3) assess the impact of the participatory development of the audio-delivered and written interventions on empowerment and internalized stigma of persons affected by leprosy who developed the interventions. Additionally, we will translate and cross-culturally validate 4 study instruments measuring outcomes in 2 major Nigerian languages. METHODS: We will use a mixed methods, cross-sectional study design for the intervention development and a 3-arm cluster randomized controlled trial for its implementation and evaluation, comprising (1) baseline assessments of knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, and fears of community members, to develop the audio-delivered content and written material, and the self-esteem and internalized stigma of persons affected by leprosy; and (2) participatory development of the audio-delivered content and written material by persons affected by leprosy and the pilot and implementation of the interventions. This will be done among different groups (selected using cluster randomization) that will be compared (control group, audio-intervention group, and written material group) to evaluate the intervention and the impact of developing the intervention on the persons affected. RESULTS: This study was funded in June 2022, and community member participant recruitment started in January 2023. Baseline data collection was completed by May 2023 (n=811). Participatory cocreation of the audio and written health education content began in July 2023, and the materials are currently under development. Study results are expected in September 2024. CONCLUSIONS: Study findings will contribute to developing evidence-based, context-specific behavioral change interventions, which are critical to addressing stigma in many leprosy-endemic communities where leprosy is highly stigmatized, and contribute toward global triple zero leprosy efforts. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Pan African Clinical Trial Registry PACTR202205543939385; https://pactr.samrc.ac.za/TrialDisplay.aspx?TrialID=23667. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/53130.

Social participation restriction among persons with leprosy discharged from a multidrug therapy clinic in northern Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: The burden of leprosy-related disability, stigma and social participation after completing treatment is not well documented in Nigeria. We assessed the extent of disability, level of stigma and predictors of activity limitation and social participation restriction after completing multidrug therapy (MDT) for leprosy in Kano, Nigeria. METHODS: A consecutively recruited cross-section of 354 persons discharged from MDT and 360 community members were interviewed. The Eyes, Hands and Feet sum score, Screening of Activity Limitation and Safety Awareness scale, Participation scale and Jacoby Stigma scale were used for affected persons. The Exploratory Model Interview Catalogue scale was used to assess community-perceived stigma. Levels of disability, activity limitation, participation restriction and stigma were scored. Adjusted ORs for predictors were generated from logistic regression models. RESULTS: Most (91.5%, n=324) respondents had a disability; (8.2%, n=29) and (83.3%, n=295) were WHO grades 1 and 2, respectively. Similarly, 321 participants (90.7%) had activity limitation and 316 respondents (89.3%) experienced participation restriction. Further, 88.7% of participants (n=314) anticipated stigma. Activity limitation was higher among unemployed participants, men, persons with disability and those who anticipated stigma. Participation restriction was higher among low income earners (≤1000 Nigerian Naira per month (equivalent to US$2.50 per month)) and persons with disability, limited activity and anticipated stigma. CONCLUSION: Leprosy-related disability, stigma, activity limitation and social participation restriction are high after treatment. We recommend community-based rehabilitation to sustain self-care, reduce stigma and ensure social inclusion.

Plantar ulcer occurrence among leprosy patients in Northern Nigeria: A study of contributing factors.

Background: The study was conducted in three major leprosy referral hospitals in Northern Nigeria, which are NKST Rehabilitation Hospital, Benue State, Yadakunya Leprosy Hospital, Kano, and National Tuberculosis/Leprosy Training Hospital, Zaria. The main objective of the study was to investigate factors responsible for the occurrence of ulcers among leprosy patients reporting to the leprosy referral hospitals. Materials and Methods: An analytic study of case-control design was used, with patients having plantar ulcers as cases and those without as control. Semi-structured was administered to all cases and controls. Results: A total of 242 patients were studied; 124 patients (51.2%) had plantar ulcers whereas 118 (48.8%) had no ulcers (controls). A Chi-square test was used in the analysis to compare cases and controls. The study found differences between cases and controls with respect to patients release from treatment (RFT), gender, availability and utilization of footwear, age, occupation, and educational status. Footwears were provided to most patients, i.e. 60.8% late (i.e., after developing plantar ulcers); however, there was very good utilization of the footwears among those who had the footwears, 65.3%. Knowledge of self-care was higher among 64.5% of cases compared to only 28.1% of the controls. Conclusion: Ulcer still remains a major problem among leprosy patients, especially RFT (76.6%) and most cases are provided with footwear late. Self-care knowledge is higher among cases than controls.

RésuméContexte: L'étude a été menée dans trois hôpitaux majeurs de référence pour la lèpre dans le nord du Nigéria, qui sont l'hôpital de réadaptation NKST, l'État de Benue, l'hôpital de la lèpre de Yadakunya, Kano et l'hôpital national de la tuberculose et de la lèpre, Zaria. L'objectif principal de l'étude était d'étudier les facteurs responsables de l'apparition d'ulcères chez les patients atteints de lèpre signalant des hôpitaux de référence pour la lèpre. Matériaux et méthodes: une étude analytique de la conception cas-témoins a été utilisée, les patients ayant des ulcères plantaires comme cas et ceux qui n'ont pas le contrôle. Semi-structuré a été administré à tous les cas et contrôles. sRésultats: Au total, 242 patients ont été étudiés; 124 patients (51,2%) avaient des ulcères plantaires tandis que 118 (48,8%) n'avaient pas d'ulcères (témoins). Un test du Chi-carré a été utilisé dans l'analyse pour comparer les cas et les témoins. L'étude a révélé des différences entre les cas et les contrôles par rapport aux patients libérés du traitement (RFT), le sexe, la disponibilité et l'utilisation de la chaussure, l'âge, la profession et le statut scolaire. Les chaussures ont été fournies à la plupart des patients, soit 60,8% en retard (c'est-à -dire après développement d'ulcères plantaires); cependant, il y avait une très bonne utilisation des chaussures parmi ceux qui avaient les chaussures, soit 65,3%. La connaissance de l'autosoins était plus élevée chez 64,5% des cas que dans seulement 28,1% des témoins. Conclusion: L'ulcère reste un problème majeur chez les patients atteints de lèpre, en particulier les TF (76,6%) et la plupart des cas sont munis de chaussures en retard. La connaissance des soins personnels est plus élevée parmi les cas que les témoins.

First-line health care provider performance in the management of common skin diseases using an algorithmic approach as a diagnostic tool in Kano State, Nigeria.

Skin diseases are common worldwide, though prevalence rates in rural areas are difficult to estimate, and are primarily based on hospital studies rather than community-based studies. Primary health care providers in rural areas often lack sufficient knowledge about skin diseases, which contributes to poor skin management and subsequently causes considerable morbidity. This study looked at the performance of first-line health care providers in the management of common skin disease, using an algorithmic approach with a flowchart with diagnostic steps. As a reference standard, two dermatologists independently validated the diagnoses and treatment choices made by the providers. The performance of the algorithm was calculated in terms of the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value for each skin disease of the algorithm. A total of 19 patent medicine vendors and 12 traditional healers from Kano State in Nigeria diagnosed 4,147 patients with suspected skin symptoms. The most common skin disease was tinea capitis (59.2%), and it was found predominantly among boys below 15 years of age. Together, patent medicine vendors and traditional healers had 82% of the cases correctly diagnosed, and in 82% they prescribed the correct treatment. The sensitivities varied for each skin disease from 94.8% for tinea capitis to 7.1% for contact dermatitis. The specificities varied between 87.0% and 98.6%. Except for tinea capitis, lower PPVs were found for the various skin diseases when compared to earlier studies. In spite of the observed low sensitivities and low PPVs for several diseases, the algorithm seems to offer an improvement in management of common skin diseases at the peripheral level. With adaptations in training, further refinement of the algorithm and refresher training, predictive values and sensitivities can be increased.

Leprosy Elimination: Progress and Challenges in Nigeria; Kaduna State TB and Leprosy Control Programme as a Case Study.

The study aims at describing the achievements and challenges of Leprosy control in Kaduna State using appropriate indicators. The study was a five year (2004-2008) retrospective review of the Leprosy records and annual reports of all the twenty three LGAs in Kaduna State. Various Leprosy indicators were calculated and presented in different graphic presentations. Focus group discussions were organised with the aim of identifying current challenges of Leprosy control in the State. There was a decline in the new Leprosy cases detected annually from 226 cases in 2004 to 140 cases in 2008. The prevalence rate ranged between 0.3-0.4 per 10,000 population within the five year period. The proportion of children among new cases dropped from 12% in 2004 to 5% in 2007 and increased to 9% in 2008. Grade 2 disability among new cases was very high (between 21%-27%) within the same period. Leprosy elimination target has been achieved in Kaduna State, but new cases with high proportion of children and WHO grade 2 disability were still been reported.