Effectiveness of Sensitization Campaigns in Reducing Leprosy-Related Stigma in Rural Togo: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

• DOI: 10.2196/preprints.52106
• Publication Date: 2024-04-18T17:00:46Z
• Authors: Dominik Jockers; Akila Wimima Bako...; Kate Bärnighausen; P'tanam P'kontème...; Stefanie Pechar; Teresia Wamuyu Maina; Jonas Wachinger; Mark Vetter; Yawovi Djakpa; Bayaki Saka; Piham Gnossike; Nora Maike Schröder; Shuyan Liu; Denis Agbenyigan ...; Christa Kasang; Till Bärnighausen
• Keywords: Preprint; Stigma

<sec> <title>BACKGROUND</title> In the global strategy to eliminate leprosy, there remains a need for early case detection successfully interrupt transmissions. Poor knowledge about leprosy and leprosy-related stigma are key drivers of delayed diagnosis treatment. Sensitization campaigns inform increase awareness among general population an integral part many national neglected tropical disease programs. Despite their importance, effectiveness such has not been rigorously studied in West African context. A multilingual rural setting with low health literacy this region presents challenges potential impact sensitization campaigns. </sec> <title>OBJECTIVE</title> The primary objective study is assess causal effect common practice community on at level volunteers. Additionally, we will test novel educational audio tools 15 most prominent local languages overcome language barriers amplify <title>METHODS</title> We conduct cluster randomized controlled trial using sequential mixed methods approach 60 communities across all regions Togo, Africa. features 2 intervention arms 1 control arm, assignments made through randomization. Communities arm receive campaign line current Togolese program. same along distributed households. no before data collection. Quantitative outcome measures be collected from random sample 1200 individuals. Knowledge assessed 9-item standardized Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices Questionnaire. Stigma measured 7-item Social Distance Scale 15-item Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue Community Scale. estimate intention-to-treat effects individual level, comparing outcomes arms. accompanying qualitative component, in-depth interviews members, volunteers, care workers both treatment explore stigma-related experiences. <title>RESULTS</title> This paper describes discusses protocol trial. Data collection planned completed June 2024, ongoing analysis. first results expected submitted publication by end 2024. <title>CONCLUSIONS</title> community-based reduce stigma. As such, policy makers, decision-makers, public practitioners designing settings. <title>CLINICALTRIAL</title> German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00029355; https://drks.de/search/en/trial/DRKS00029355 <title>INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT</title> DERR1-10.2196/52106