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Table 4 Knowledge and practice of self-care techniques by LF and leprosy affected participants

From: Assessing the feasibility of integration of self-care for filarial lymphoedema into existing community leprosy self-help groups in Nepal

 

Know about

Practice

Reason if not practiced

LF (n = 52)

Self-care methods

 Protect feeta

26

24

2- It is not practical

 Clean limbsa

21

17

3- it takes too long;

1- it is not practical

 Apply creamsa

16

16

 

 Raise limb and exercisea

8

8

 

 Other or local treatmentsb

11

–

 

Breadth of knowledge and practice

 At least 2 of the 4 recommended methods

27

23

 

 At least 3 of the 4 recommended methods

14

11

 

 All 4 recommended methods

3

3

 

 Mean number of methods

1.81 (SD = 0.951)

1.25 (SD = 1.404)

 

Leprosy (n = 53)

Self-care methods

 Protect Feeta

52

52

 

 Soak limbs in clean watera

48

45

3- it takes too long

 Physical Exercisea

48

48

 

 Check eyes in Mirrora

22

18

2- it takes too long;

2- need help

 Other or local treatmentsb

3

–

 

Breadth of knowledge and practice

 At least 2 of the 4 recommended methods

52

51

 

 At least 3 of the 4 recommended methods

46

45

 

 All 4 methods

19

13

 

 Mean number of methods

3.21 (SD = 0.717)

3.08 (SD = 0.703)

 
  1. amethods of self-care as recommended by WHO
  2. bother or local treatments that are not recommended by WHO