title: Social stigma towards neglected tropical diseases: a systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  People affected by neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are frequently the target of social stigmatization. To date not much attention has been given to stigma in relation to NTDs. The objective of this review is to identify the extent of social stigma and the similarities and differences in the causes, manifestations, impact of stigma and interventions used between the NTDs.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic review was conducted in Pubmed, ScienceDirect, PsycINFO and Web of Knowledge. The search encompassed 17 NTDs, including podoconiosis, but not leprosy as this NTD has recently been reviewed. However, leprosy was included in the discussion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 52 selected articles provided evidence on stigma related to lymphatic filariasis (LF), podoconiosis, Buruli ulcer, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, trachoma, soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) and human African trypanosomiasis. The similarities predominated in stigma related to the various NTDs; only minimal differences in stigma reasons and measures were found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These similarities suggest that joint approaches to reduce stigmatization may be feasible. Lessons from leprosy and other stigmatized health conditions can be used to plan such joint approaches. Further research will be necessary to study the efficacy of joint interventions and to investigate stigma related to NTDs for which no evidence is available yet.
authors.affiliation: Netherlands Leprosy Relief, Wibautstraat 137k, 1097 DN Amsterdam, The Netherlands khofstraat@outlook.com.
authors.forename: Karlijn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hofstraat
authors.affiliation: Netherlands Leprosy Relief, Wibautstraat 137k, 1097 DN Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Wim H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: van Brakel
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D058069:Neglected Diseases / Q000523:psychology*; D057545:Social Stigma; D014330:Tropical Medicine
keywords: Disability; Discrimination; NTDs; Neglected tropical diseases; Social exclusion; Stigma