Patient perspectives and barriers to effective home-based care in lymphatic filariasis: A mixed methods study from Puducherry, India

Arya Rahul, Anoop C Choolayil, Gnanasekaran Vijayalakshmi, Balakrishnan Vijayakumar, Dharani Govindasamy, Amala Ramasamy, Sadhasivam Anbusivam and Manju Rahi

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2026, vol. 20, issue 1, 1-24

Abstract: Morbidity Management and Disability Prevention (MMDP) remain an under-addressed component of lymphatic filariasis elimination. Despite the simplicity of the hygiene-based regimen, adherence to these practices remains low due to multiple barriers, exacerbating chronic suffering. As the primary role remains vested in the patients, this study explores their perspectives and barriers to home-based care to inform strategies to improve outcomes. This study employed a mixed-methods approach using an explanatory sequential design. The quantitative phase involved a cross-sectional survey of 321 adult patients from Puducherry and adjacent areas of Tamil Nadu, utilising a validated questionnaire informed by the Self-Management Assessment Scale (SeMaS) framework. The qualitative phase comprised 12 in-depth interviews (IDIs) and four focus group discussions (FGDs), with participants evenly distributed based on gender and health-seeking behaviours, and the data were analyzed using deductive thematic analysis. Only 46.4% of participants regularly practised home-based limb care. Morbidity management scores were significantly higher among patients with an income (p = 0.005) and regular healthcare visits (p

Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:plo:pntd00:0013903

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0013903

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