Shenoy R K, Suma T K, Kumaraswami V
Dept. of Medicine, Filariasis Chemotherapy Unit T.D. Medical College Hospital, Alappuzha, Kerala, India 688011.
J Commun Dis. 2003 Mar;35(1):9-16.
Disability alleviation is an important component of 'Global Programme for Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis'. In Brugia malayi infection the disability is largely due to acute attacks of adenolymphangitis (ADL), which frequently prevent patients from attending their normal activities, causing much suffering and economic loss. The foot care programme has been shown to reduce the frequency and severity of these episodes. In the present study we used semi-structured interviews to evaluate the impact of the foot care in 127 patients with brugian filariasis. They were previously trained in this procedure and were advised to practice it regularly, unsupervised. All except one could recollect the various components of foot hygiene and were practicing it regularly. They were aware of the factors causing ADL attacks and were able to avoid them. Majority (95.2%) expressed their happiness with the relief provided by foot care, which prevented or reduced the ADL episodes. The motivation was such that they transmitted this knowledge to others suffering in the community and even physically helped them to carry out foot care. This study fully endorses the advocacy of foot care programme as an easy to carry out, effective, sustainable and economically feasible procedure to prevent acute ADL attacks.
减轻残疾是“全球消除淋巴丝虫病规划”的一个重要组成部分。在马来布鲁线虫感染中，残疾主要是由腺淋巴管炎（ADL）的急性发作所致，这常常使患者无法进行正常活动，造成极大痛苦和经济损失。足部护理方案已被证明可减少这些发作的频率和严重程度。在本研究中，我们采用半结构式访谈来评估足部护理对127例马来丝虫病患者的影响。他们之前接受过该程序的培训，并被建议在无人监督的情况下定期进行。除一人外，所有人都能回忆起足部卫生的各个环节并定期进行实践。他们了解导致ADL发作的因素，并能够避免这些因素。大多数人（95.2%）对足部护理带来的缓解表示满意，足部护理预防或减少了ADL发作。他们的积极性很高，将这一知识传授给社区中的其他患者，甚至亲自帮助他们进行足部护理。本研究完全支持将足部护理方案作为一种易于实施、有效、可持续且经济可行的预防ADL急性发作的措施进行推广。
