@article{16566,
  keywords = {Cross-Sectional Studies, Dapsone, Female, Health Services, Humans, India, leprosy, Male, Medicine, Traditional, Referral and Consultation, Sex Factors, Social Class, Socioeconomic Factors},
  author = {Kumar A and Anbalagan M},
  title = {Illness and service utilization behaviours of leprosy patients.},
  abstract = {<p>225 adult leprosy patients attending the CLTRI, were interviewed to study their illness and medical agency utilization behaviours. Almost all patients perceived their disease as leprosy but 71.50% did not know how they got it. 10-11% did not reveal the disease to their family for fear of rejection. The time-lag between first suspicion and medical consultation was 1 year or more in 48% of cases. For treatment of leprosy, 36-38% of patients consulted Private Practitioners and General Hospitals, at one or the other time. 42.6% of patients changed 3 or more medical agencies for treatment. On an average patient had taken 62.39% of expected treatment. 41% of patients were not aware of the name of drug (DDS) they were taking. 44% of patients had tried home remedies. Most of the patients preferred to take treatment at leprosy referral hospitals.</p>},
  year = {1982},
  journal = {Leprosy in India},
  volume = {54},
  pages = {338-47},
  month = {1982 Apr},
  issn = {0024-1024},
  language = {eng},
}