01895nas a2200241   4500000000100000008004100001653002500042653001700067653001200084653001800096653001300114653001200127100001300139700001200152700001000164700001400174245011400188856006300302300001000365490000700375050001600382520125500398       2013                            d10aPsychosocial aspects10aNursing Care10aleprosy10aInterventions10aHospital10aAnxiety1 aGeorge A1 aKhora T1 aDas P1 aRao P S S00aNursing interventions to manage anxiety levels of female inpatients admitted first time in a leprosy hospital  uhttp://www.ijl.org.in/oct-dec/4%20George%20(19-25)%20f.pdf  a19-250 v85  aGEORGE 20133 aLeprosy causes not just physical disabilities but mental and psycho social problems which are further more
enhanced in women due to their submissive and secondary role in an Indian culture. This is reflected in their
reluctance and delay in seeking hospitalization and generates great anxiety while admitted as inpatients.
Appropriate nursing care can relieve much anxiety and help in faster healing. This paper presents the findings
from such research carried out at a leprosy referral hospital in north India. Adult female leprosy patients newly
admitted for the first time in a leprosy referral hospital were interviewed in depth using Hamilton Anxiety
Rating Scale and observed before and after implementing a customized nursing care plan. On admission, out
of 40 women admitted more than 80% showed moderate or severe anxiety. After well planned nursing
interventions only 2 continued to have severe anxiety, and a majority in all age groups showed significant
reductions in anxiety levels, and responded well to leprosy care at the hospital. Well planned nursing care
reduces or minimizes anxiety levels of female leprosy patients admitted first time in the hospital, and should
become a standard practice in all hospital admissions.