Leprosy in India: Current Issues and Prospects

Leprosy, an age-old chronic bacterial affliction in human civilization is caused by Mycobacterium leprae through long exposure of the respiratory system to airborne nasal droplets. It is derived from the Greek word ‘leprós’ meaning ‘scaly’, relating to the skin. Leprosy mainly affects the skin and peripheral nerves, which holds the risk of enduring and progressive visible deformities. Additionally, associated stigma bothers the leprosy patient through discrimination or exclusion, even after the completion of treatment. Leprosy patients with late diagnosis generally develop irreversible disfiguring complications. Late detection may result from poor knowledge, ignorance, unavailability of services, and stigma. This paper is a review of leprosy to understand the present situation in India in terms of burden, myths, stigmas, beliefs and attitudes of the community, Knowledge, Attitude, Practices (KAP) studies, programs, and initiatives by government in the Indian scenario. It also analyses to understand the disease perception and it was found that the majority of respondents possess little or no knowledge, and negative attitudes. Suitable recommendations have been devised to guide professionals in effectively planning and structuring solutions for the welfare of leprosy patients.