01354nas a2200241   4500000000100000008004100001260001700042653002300059653002100082653002300103653001100126653001000137653001200147653003800159653001900197100001700216700001600233245004000249300001100289490000700300520079100307022001401098       1978                            d  c1978 Jul-Dec10aAttitude to Health10aHealth Education10aHospitals, Special10aHumans10aIndia10aleprosy10aPatient Acceptance of Health Care10aPublic Opinion1 aMatthews C M1 aJesudasan M00aA leprosy health education project.  a414-250 v463 a<p>Results of a survey of knowledge and attitudes of the general public towards leprosy and knowledge, attitudes and practices of leprosy patients are reported. This survey is the base line for a health education project, based on social psychological theories of behavior, which is described. The results of the survey show that the general public has very little knowledge about leprosy; patients have more knowledge. Attitudes measured with a Likert scale are negative for the general public and only slightly positive for the patients. Allopathic treatment for leprosy is preferred by most, but many do not relate the "patch" to leprosy and therefore do not seek early treatment. In addition, many patients do not complete the treatment. There is much need for health education.</p>  a0148-916X