Aké Julien, Koh Eunheh, Issiaka Tiembre, Nadège Boko-Koiadia Adjoua N'Groma, Maxime Lorou Bi, Phillip Maneesh, Cécille Konan Anne, Yotsu Rie
Croissance et Optimisation des Entreprises (COPTIMENT), Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire.
University of Felix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2025 Sep 8;19(9):e0013485. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0013485. eCollection 2025 Sep.
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a priority in the public health agenda for Côte d'Ivoire, with persons living with disabilities due to NTDs (PD-NTDs) experiencing many challenges in their daily lives. Current policies do not sufficiently support PD-NTDs, thereby highlighting the need to identify opportunities for policy improvement.
This study was carried out in two phases: first to identify the current needs (formative phase) and then to develop a pilot strategy (implementation phase). In the formative phase, pertinent current legislation was reviewed. Then, interviews of PD-NTDs and their caregivers were conducted and analyzed quantitatively. Thematic analysis of focus groups with key community stakeholders was also completed. In the implementation phase, a pilot strategy was developed to address the identified issues.
172 PD-NTDs and their caregivers were surveyed through this study. 99% of PD-NTDs expressed a need for rehabilitation, healthcare and psychosocial support. More than 80% endorsed the need for healthcare services and free medications, 92% expressed the need for educational services, and 83% reported economic difficulties. Furthermore, 30% of PD-NTDs reported limited awareness of specialized care services available in the community, 25% endorsed limited knowledge of current legislation that protects the rights of people living with disabilities, and 38% faced significant stigma and discrimination within the past 12 months. Fifty-six interviews with key informants further echoed these gaps. A pilot strategy was developed with four pillars to (1) increase community advocacy, (2) combat stigma, (3) promote mutual support among PD-NTDs, and (4) improve the sustainability of the effort. Forty-one out of 49 activities were completed.
This project represents a comprehensive effort to identify policy opportunities to effectively support PD-NTDs. This approach may be used by other organizations that plan to develop initiatives to target the needs of PD-NTDs in their local communities.
被忽视的热带病（NTDs）是科特迪瓦公共卫生议程中的一个优先事项，因NTDs导致残疾的人（PD-NTDs）在日常生活中面临诸多挑战。当前政策对PD-NTDs的支持不足，因此凸显了识别政策改进机会的必要性。
本研究分两个阶段进行：首先识别当前需求（形成阶段），然后制定一项试点策略（实施阶段）。在形成阶段，对相关现行立法进行了审查。然后，对PD-NTDs及其照料者进行了访谈并进行定量分析。还完成了与关键社区利益相关者的焦点小组主题分析。在实施阶段，制定了一项试点策略以解决所识别出的问题。
通过本研究对172名PD-NTDs及其照料者进行了调查。99%的PD-NTDs表示需要康复、医疗和心理社会支持。超过80%的人认可需要医疗服务和免费药物，92%的人表示需要教育服务，83%的人报告有经济困难。此外，30%的PD-NTDs报告对社区中可用的专科护理服务了解有限，25%的人认可对保护残疾人权利的现行立法了解有限，38%的人在过去12个月内面临严重的耻辱和歧视。对关键信息提供者的56次访谈进一步反映了这些差距。制定了一项有四个支柱的试点策略，以（1）加强社区宣传，（2）消除耻辱感，（3）促进PD-NTDs之间的相互支持，以及（4）提高这项工作的可持续性。49项活动中有41项完成。
该项目是识别有效支持PD-NTDs的政策机会的一项全面努力。其他计划在当地社区开展针对PD-NTDs需求的倡议的组织可采用这种方法。
