title: Self-care groups of leprosy-affected people in Mozambique.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In 2011, the national leprosy control programme in Mozambique decided to promote the setting up of self-care groups (SCGs) for prevention and care of disabilities.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To present an overview of the national SCG strategy and to understand the perceptions of people with leprosy regarding the benefits and challenges of participating in the SCGs in Mozambique.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semi-structured group interviews were carried out with 22 SCGs involving 299 leprosy affected people in Nampula and Manica provinces.
  
  
  RESULTS
  SCGs are involved in different activities and do not limit themselves to activities related to disability care. The majority of respondents expressed satisfaction about their participation in SCGs. Apart from perceived benefits in relation to their disabilities, the majority of SCG members also reported benefits in social participation. Lack of training, insufficient resources for income generation and long distances were the major challenges for SCGs, especially in the Manica province.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  People affected with leprosy perceive SCGs as useful in self-care for prevention of disabilities and social participation.
authors.forename: Sunil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Deepak
authors.forename: Paulo Estivar
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Hansine
authors.forename: Carole
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Braccini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007918:Leprosy / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009073:Mozambique; D010379:Peer Group; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology; D058992:Social Participation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult