Current perception about Leprosy among family members of leprosy patients: A comparative study between high prevalent & low prevalent districts of West Bengal

Abstract

Introduction: With a sustained effort, India achieved the goal of elimination of leprosy in December, 2005 (PR-0.95/10,000). Since 2001, MDT services in India were integrated with the general health services, thus posing various operational challenges in programme management. With a view to maximize the effectiveness of health education programme, it needs to assess current status of perception and practices of the family members taking care of the patients of the most stigmatized disease so as to adopt appropriate changes accordingly. Aim(s)/Objective(s): To assess perception & attitude about leprosy among family members in both high & low endemic districts. Materials and Method: 25% of leprosy patients getting MDT in 25% blocks of 3 high prevalent & all patients in 25% blocks in 3 low prevalent districts of West Bengal, were initially selected by multi-stage random sampling technique, then family members taking care of the patients, were interviewed. Statistical Analysis: Proportions in respect of different attributes calculated & chi-square used as a test of significance. Results: Total 246 family members of the leprosy patients, 143 from high prevalent & 103 from low prevalent districts were interviewed. 95.5% & 60.1% of family members respectively have heard about leprosy & MDT. Correct knowledge about cause (38.5% vs 32% ), clinical presentation, curability (90% vs 84.5%), infectiousness of the disease(59.4% vs 31%), complication (67.1% vs 52.4%) were found more among family members of high prevalent districts than low prevalent one. 13.59% & 4.2% family members in high & low prevalent districts had belief that leprosy occurred as a result of divine curse. Discrimination towards leprosy patients were found more in low prevalent than high prevalent districts. Conclusions: Knowledge & attitude towards leprosy were found to be better among family members in high prevalent as compared to that of low prevalent districts.