A new guide for basic psychological support for persons affected by neglected tropical diseases: A peer support tool suitable for persons with a diagnosis of leprosy and lymphatic filariasis.

Background: People with disabilities due to neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), such as leprosy and lymphatic filariasis (LF), often encounter situations of stigma and discrimination that significantly impact their mental wellbeing. Mental wellbeing services are often not available at the peripheral level in NTD-endemic countries, and there is a need for such services. Basic psychological support for persons with NTDs (BPS-N) from peers is an important potential solution for addressing mental wellbeing problems.

Effectiveness of ongoing single dose rifampicin post-exposure prophylaxis (SDR-PEP) implementation under routine programme conditions-An observational study in Nepal.

Background/introduction: Leprosy control remains a challenge in Nepal. Single-dose rifampicin post-exposure prophylaxis (SDR-PEP) shows promise in reducing leprosy incidence among contacts of index cases, contributing to reducing the transmission of Mycobacterium (M.) leprae.

Target product profiles: leprosy diagnostics.

The World Health Organization (WHO) aims to reduce new leprosy cases by 70% by 2030, necessitating advancements in leprosy diagnostics. Here we discuss the development of two WHO's target product profiles for such diagnostics. These profiles define criteria for product use, design, performance, configuration and distribution, with a focus on accessibility and affordability.

The PEP++ study protocol: a cluster-randomised controlled trial on the effectiveness of an enhanced regimen of post-exposure prophylaxis for close contacts of persons affected by leprosy to prevent disease transmission.

Background: Leprosy is an infectious disease with a slow decline in global annual caseload in the past two decades. Active case finding and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) with a single dose of rifampicin (SDR) are recommended by the World Health Organization as measures for leprosy elimination. However, more potent PEP regimens are needed to increase the effect in groups highest at risk (i.

Cross-cultural validation of two scales to assess mental wellbeing in persons affected by leprosy in Province 1 and 7, Nepal.

To assess mental wellbeing among persons affected by leprosy, this study aimed to validate the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9, depression tool) in Province 1 and 7, Nepal. Using purposive and convenience sampling, cross-cultural equivalences were assessed through semi-structured interviews with persons affected by leprosy (>18 years). Data were transcribed, translated, analysed and discussed with experts before revising the tools.

Impact of basic psychological support on stigma and mental well-being of people with disabilities due to leprosy and lymphatic filariasis: a proof-of-concept study.

Background: People with leprosy and lymphatic filariasis (LF)-related disabilities experience higher levels of poor mental well-being compared with the general community. Mental health services are often not available. This study was conducted to provide proof of concept that basic psychological support for people affected by neglected tropical diseases (BPS-N) can be given by peer supporters to reduce stigma, improve mental well-being and participation among clients.

Impact of basic psychological support on stigma and the mental well-being of people with disabilities due to leprosy and lymphatic filariasis: a postintervention evaluation study.

Background: A peer support intervention, called basic psychological support for people affected by neglected tropical diseases (BPS-N), was piloted in India to improve mental well-being and social participation and to reduce stigma among people with disabilities due to leprosy or lymphatic filariasis. Preintervention and postintervention assessments showed improvements in mental well-being and reductions in depression and stigma. This study aimed to further evaluate this intervention at approximately 2 mo after its completion.

The geographical distribution and socioeconomic risk factors of COVID-19, tuberculosis and leprosy in Fortaleza, Brazil.

Background: Fortaleza (Brazil) is high endemic for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), tuberculosis (TB) and leprosy. These three diseases share respiratory droplets through coughing or sneezing as the main mode of transmission but differ in incubation time, with COVID-19 having a short and leprosy a long incubation time. Consequently, contacts of a patient are at higher risk of infection and developing these diseases.

Predicted Pharmacokinetic Interactions Between Hormonal Contraception and Single or Intermittently Dosed Rifampicin.

The scale-up of rifampicin-based prevention regimens is an essential part of the global leprosy strategy. Daily rifampicin may reduce the effectiveness of the oral contraceptive pill (OCP), but little is known about the effects of rifampicin at the less frequent dosing intervals used for leprosy prophylaxis. As many women of reproductive age rely on OCP for family planning, evaluating the interaction with less-than-daily rifampicin regimens would enhance the scalability and acceptability of leprosy prophylaxis.

Identifying clusters of leprosy patients in India: A comparison of methods.

Background: Preventive interventions with post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) are needed in leprosy high-endemic areas to interrupt the transmission of Mycobacterium leprae. Program managers intend to use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to target preventive interventions considering efficient use of public health resources. Statistical GIS analyses are commonly used to identify clusters of disease without accounting for the local context.

Correction: The role of perceptions and knowledge of leprosy in the elimination of leprosy: A baseline study in Fatehpur district, northern India.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.

Determining target populations for leprosy prophylactic interventions: a hotspot analysis in Indonesia.

Background: Leprosy incidence remained at around 200,000 new cases globally for the last decade. Current strategies to reduce the number of new patients include early detection and providing post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to at-risk populations. Because leprosy is distributed unevenly, it is crucial to identify high-risk clusters of leprosy cases for targeting interventions.

Measuring endemicity and burden of leprosy across countries and regions: A systematic review and Delphi survey.

Background: Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, the annual new case detection in 2019 was 202,189 globally. Measuring endemicity levels and burden in leprosy lacks a uniform approach. As a result, the assessment of leprosy endemicity or burden are not comparable over time and across countries and regions.

Detection of anti-M. leprae antibodies in children in leprosy-endemic areas: A systematic review.

Background: Leprosy elimination primarily targets transmission of Mycobacterium leprae which is not restricted to patients' households. As interruption of transmission is imminent in many countries, a test to detect infected asymptomatic individuals who can perpetuate transmission is required. Antibodies directed against M.

Changing perception and improving knowledge of leprosy: An intervention study in Uttar Pradesh, India.

Introduction: Since ancient times leprosy has had a negative perception, resulting in stigmatization. To improve the lives of persons affected by leprosy, these negative perceptions need to change. The aim of this study is to evaluate interventions to change perceptions and improve knowledge of leprosy.

Erratum: Psychosocial burden of neglected tropical diseases in eastern Colombia: an explorative qualitative study in persons affected by leprosy, cutaneous leishmaniasis and Chagas disease - ERRATUM.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1017/gmh.2021.

Psychosocial burden of neglected tropical diseases in eastern Colombia: an explorative qualitative study in persons affected by leprosy, cutaneous leishmaniasis and Chagas disease.

Background: Leprosy, cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and Chagas disease (CD) are neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) with a high psychosocial burden in Norte de Santander and Arauca in Colombia. This study provides insights into affected persons' feelings, perceptions and experiences to better understand the nature of this burden.

Methods: In 2018, 34 leprosy, CD and CL patients participated in four focus groups discussing the influence of the disease on mental well-being, social participation and stigma.

The long-term impact of the Leprosy Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (LPEP) program on leprosy incidence: A modelling study.

Background: The Leprosy Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (LPEP) program explored the feasibility and impact of contact tracing and the provision of single dose rifampicin (SDR) to eligible contacts of newly diagnosed leprosy patients in Brazil, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Tanzania. As the impact of the programme is difficult to establish in the short term, we apply mathematical modelling to predict its long-term impact on the leprosy incidence.

Methodology: The individual-based model SIMCOLEP was calibrated and validated to the historic leprosy incidence data in the study areas.

Number of people requiring post-exposure prophylaxis to end leprosy: A modeling study.

Background: Worldwide, around 210,000 new cases of leprosy are detected annually. To end leprosy, i.e.

Reducing stigma and discrimination associated with COVID-19: early stage pandemic rapid review and practical recommendations.

Aims: To develop recommendations for strategies and interventions to reduce stigma and discrimination related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), through reviewing and synthesising evidence in relation to COVID-19 and other disease outbreaks and infectious/stigmatised conditions from systematic reviews and primary studies and recommendations from additional materials.

Methods: Rapid review, drawing on the World Health Organization's (WHO) methodology for developing interim guidelines during health emergencies. PubMed/MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Cochrane Central and Campbell Collaboration searched up to mid-April 2020.