A survey on foot care practices among filarial lymphoedema patients in Orissa, India

ABSTRACT

The study is to investigate the foot care practices among filarial lymphoedema patients, which is relevant to strengthen the second pillar of the Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (PELF). The patients are drawn randomly from a clinic as well as from the community. After getting verbal consent, each patient was subjected to an in-depth interview by using a structured questionnaire on how she/he dealt with lymphoedema and probed about various foot care practices. Of the six foot care measures, most of the patients are practising one or two measures only. Substantial numbers of patients are practising the washing the affected limb regularly. Though majority use normal footwear, none of the patients use specially made footwear. Other foot care practices like, massaging, elevation and exercising of affected, limb and use of bandage are practised by a few patients. The patients' education and lymphoedema grade had significant influence on number of foot care practices adopted. The present results are not surprising, but disappointing, as a few patients are practising the measures specifically aimed to ameliorate the lymphoedema condition. Though the present study area is covered by the mass drug administration under PELF, no serious attempts are made to alleviate disability and morbidity control. Appropriate care of affected limb at early stage can help in prevention or reversal of the progression of the disease, in addition to decrease in frequency of acute lymphangitis attacks. PELF is one of the functions of primary healthcare (PHC) system and hence, peripheral level health institutions of PHC system including primary health centres, health sub-centres and their health workers should take lead in encouraging the patients to modify their behaviour with foot care practices.