03364nas a2200373   4500000000100000008004100001260001200042653001700054653001500071653002500086653001800111653003100129653002700160653002600187100001500213700001400228700001200242700001300254700001200267700001300279700001200292700001100304700001000315700001900325700001600344700001400360700001700374245012200391856008300513300001100596490000600607520236300613022001402976       2026                            d  c07/202610aDisabilities10aDepression10aLymphatic filariasis10aMental Health10aNeglected tropical disease10aeducational attainment10aPsychological aspects1 avan Wijk R1 aAgarwal A1 aNayak P1 aMishra C1 aToppo S1 aTiwari R1 aKumar P1 aJain A1 aMol M1 aChakrabartty A1 aRichardus J1 aKorfage I1 avan Brakel W00aThe psychosocial impact of disability and stigma among persons affected by leprosy and lymphatic filariasis in India.  uhttps://journals.plos.org/mentalhealth/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmen.0000645  a1 - 160 v33 a<p>Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), such as leprosy and lymphatic filariasis (LF), can cause disabilities despite available treatment. Both diseases disproportionately affect India's poorest populations, with high numbers in Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh. Those affected experience severe psychosocial consequences, including participation restrictions, depression, and poor mental health. This study investigates the extent to which stigma affects social participation and mental wellbeing among persons with leprosy- and LF-related disabilities in two Indian states. In a cross-sectional design in Bokaro (Jharkhand) and Jaunpur (Uttar Pradesh), participants were randomly selected among persons with leprosy- or LF-related disabilities, along with comparable non-affected community members. Sociodemographic and disability data were collected, alongside four measures assessing mental wellbeing, depression, participation restriction, and stigma. Analysis used descriptive statistics, univariate, and multivariate regression. A total of 201 persons with leprosy-related disabilities, 240 with LF-related disabilities, and 98 non-affected community members were included. Persons with NTD-related disabilities exhibited significantly higher depression and participation restriction and reported lower mental wellbeing compared to community members (p < 0.001). In the leprosy group, lower education and lower stigma were key determinants of mental wellbeing (R² = 0.3), while in the LF group, higher age and less severe lymphoedema grade were significant (R² = 0.5). Participation restriction was associated with higher age, poorer mental wellbeing, and depression in the leprosy group (R² = 0.7), and with depression and stigma in the LF group (R² = 0.6). Persons with leprosy and LF-related disabilities face significant psychosocial challenges, including poor mental wellbeing, depression, and restrictions in participation, often exacerbated by stigma. Addressing these challenges requires integration of mental health support and stigma reduction within NTD programmes, with specific attention to the needs of persons with disabilities. Further research into connections between education, disability, and mental health is essential to deepen understanding and inform development of more targeted, effective interventions.</p>  a2837-8156