Patient insights research exploring disease awareness, patient life experience, and current management of visceral leishmaniasis in Bihar, India.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a vector-borne disease caused by Leishmania parasites and transmitted by sand fly bites, targeted for elimination in India. VL primarily affects rural, low-income populations with limited health care access. In South Asia, few studies have explored patients' perspectives, diagnoses, and treatment experiences; particularly lacking an understanding about the patients' life experiences outside of clinical research settings.

Methodology/principal findings

A qualitative study was conducted in Bihar, India, using moderator-facilitated, protocol-defined discussion. Eighteen adult patients and 12 caregivers of children diagnosed with and treated for VL within the last 12 months were identified by self-report. Mean time from symptom onset to

SUBMITTER: Sundar S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11856310 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature