A study to assess the knowledge, attitude and belief of society towards leprosy patients and the impact on quality of life of leprosy patients

Leprosy was one of the biggest health problems in India. In India, now leprosy is in control but still belief and attitude towards leprosy patients is unchanged. Leprosy is a social stigma. While reviewing literature researcher developed interest in topic to assess the knowledge, attitude and belief. The negative perceptions may result in reduced quality of life of leprosy patients and hold back their access to health care services. In the perception of community leprosy is a disabling disease that is incurable, hereditary, and associated with dirtiness, oozy and bad smelling wounds. It was found that both the leprosy patients as well as community members were still not sure about the cause of leprosy.

Leprosy is a form of punishment for wrong actions or deeds committed sometime in the past or present life according to perception of community. Very few participants believed that it is caused by a bacterium and more than two fifths (45.7%) believed that skin-to-skin contact with an infectious person could be a possible cause. Breach of taboos and intake of wrong food were other possible reasons for leprosy. 37% of family members of leprosy patients were aware that leprosy is caused by a germ. The negative perceptions may result in reduced quality of life for leprosy patients and holdback their access to health care services. More than half of the participants (54.5%) perceived shame or embarrassment in community due to leprosy. Similarly, 49.8% dislike to buy foods from leprosy patients and 47.1% responded it was difficult to find work for leprosy patients. Prejudice was still present in the wider community and a significant minority believed that patients should be kept apart from other people and emphasis needs to be placed hands. Skin patches and loss of sensation as symptoms of Leprosy were known to 73% of the family members. Almost all stated that leprosy was curable. 60% of the community believes that leprosy is curable while many (64%) believe that it is associated with deformities and disabilities. Most of the community (79%) said it is necessary to attend hospital for leprosy treatment whereas 60% of them felt that it is necessary to segregate leprosy patients.