I can do it myself!: Tips for people affected by leprosy who want to prevent disability.

The longer the delay between the appearance of the first symptoms of leprosy and the start of treatment, the more likely it is for nerve damage to occur. For this reason, every effort should be made to inform the public that early diagnosis and treatment of leprosy prevents the occurrence of long-term complications. Prevention of disability (POD) is an important component of 'quality leprosy services' emphasized in the WHO's Global Strategy. There are many ways in which complications of leprosy can be minimized by practising good self-care at home. People need to be informed clearly about the actions they can take at home that are appropriate for their particular situation. The booklet is intended for persons affected by leprosy, their close family members and friends who can help them practice self-care at home. This prototype version has an English text and hand drawn figures to assist in better understanding of the steps for prevention of disabilities. In order to make it useful for those who need it, it is recommended that the book be adopted and translated to suit local conditions. In order to make it useful for those who need it, it is recommended that the book be adapted and translated to suit local conditions.