01966nas a2200289   4500000000100000008004100001260001300042653001000055653001100065653001100076653001100087653001000098653001200108653000900120653001300129653001600142653001600158653003000174100001200204700001600216245005200232300001100284490000700295050001500302520134500317022001401662       1983                            d  c1983 Apr10aAdult10aFamily10aFemale10aHumans10aIndia10aleprosy10aMale10aMarriage10aMiddle Aged10aOccupations10aResidence Characteristics1 aKumar A1 aAnbalagan M00aSocio-economic experiences of leprosy patients.  a314-210 v55  aKUMAR 19833 a<p>225 adult leprosy patients were interviewed to study their socio-economic experiences, about various aspects of their lives. It was observed that 17.34%, 14.33% and 45.78% of patients experienced negative reactions from their families, spouses and society members, respectively. Out of 79 unmarried patients, 53 (67.1%) attributed leprosy as the only reason for not getting a partner for marriage. Out of 146 married patients, 34 (23.3%) were not living with their spouses; this also included 9 (6.2%) patients, deserted by their partners. Leprosy uprooted 44 (13.55%) patients from their residences, of whom 27 settled in leprosy village/settlement. The occupational status of 104 (46.22%) patients was adversely affected due to leprosy, of whom 43 became dependents and 17 beggars. Monthly income of 115 (51.1%) patients reduced to the extent of 84%, after getting leprosy. The social prejudice and deformities due to leprosy, have played key roles in socio-economic deterioration of patients. The leprosy control programme (LCP) need to be implemented more efficiently and effectively, with active involvement of communities. The socio-medical units, if included in LCP, may be utilized more effectively to prevent the socio-economic dehabilitation of patients, as well to tackle the abnormal psycholygical behaviours of patients.</p>  a0024-1024