Towards planning morbidity management programmes: characterising patient needs and estimating lymphedema and hydrocele burden in Nigeria

The global programme to eliminate lymphatic filariasis (LF) aims to interrupt transmission, manage morbidity and alleviate suffering among people already infected. Interrupting transmission by treating eligible populations in endemic communities through mass drug administration (MDA), has been the emphasis of LF control programmes. However, insufficient attention has been given to morbidity management and there is currently no standard protocol for estimating patient numbers. This research contributes to the literature by providing a structure for patient reporting and characterising the psychosocial and economic impacts of LF to better prioritise requirements for morbidity management programmes.