BACKGROUND: Individuals affected by Hansen's disease (leprosy) often experience stigma and discrimination. Greater psychosocial resilience may enable people to deal with such discrimination. This study aimed to explore sources of strength and resilience for individuals affected by Hansen's disease in Brazil.
METHODS: We used a cross-sectional study design with a qualitative approach. Semistructured focus groups were conducted. Analysis comprised thematic categorisation of transcripts.
RESULTS: Thirty-one participants were included: 23 individuals affected by Hansen's disease and 8 healthcare providers. We found that while a few individuals affected were provided with formal psychological support in the early phases of their treatment, many noted the importance of providing such support at this time. Most participants described relationships with and social support from family members, friends and with others affected by Hansen's disease as their primary source of resilience. A key context for building resilience was through the peer-level sharing and engagement experienced in self-care and support groups. Participants also emphasised the importance of providing appropriate information about Hansen's disease and the importance of beliefs and spirituality.
CONCLUSIONS: Hansen's disease services should seek to build resilience in early treatment through counselling and during treatment and beyond by having people affected getting together. Across both settings supporting family and social relationships, providing accurate information and acknowledging spiritual beliefs are important.
BT - International health C1 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33547894 DA - 02/2021 DO - 10.1093/inthealth/ihab001 J2 - Int Health LA - eng N2 -BACKGROUND: Individuals affected by Hansen's disease (leprosy) often experience stigma and discrimination. Greater psychosocial resilience may enable people to deal with such discrimination. This study aimed to explore sources of strength and resilience for individuals affected by Hansen's disease in Brazil.
METHODS: We used a cross-sectional study design with a qualitative approach. Semistructured focus groups were conducted. Analysis comprised thematic categorisation of transcripts.
RESULTS: Thirty-one participants were included: 23 individuals affected by Hansen's disease and 8 healthcare providers. We found that while a few individuals affected were provided with formal psychological support in the early phases of their treatment, many noted the importance of providing such support at this time. Most participants described relationships with and social support from family members, friends and with others affected by Hansen's disease as their primary source of resilience. A key context for building resilience was through the peer-level sharing and engagement experienced in self-care and support groups. Participants also emphasised the importance of providing appropriate information about Hansen's disease and the importance of beliefs and spirituality.
CONCLUSIONS: Hansen's disease services should seek to build resilience in early treatment through counselling and during treatment and beyond by having people affected getting together. Across both settings supporting family and social relationships, providing accurate information and acknowledging spiritual beliefs are important.
PY - 2021 T2 - International health TI - Key sources of strength and resilience for persons receiving services for Hansen's disease (leprosy) in Porto Velho, Brazil: What can we learn for service development? UR - https://academic.oup.com/inthealth/advance-article/doi/10.1093/inthealth/ihab001/6129856 SN - 1876-3405 ER -