01438nas a2200289   4500000000100000008004100001260001300042653001100055653001100066653001100077653001000088653001200098653001400110653004000124653000800164653002100172653001700193653001900210100001500229245004800244856005900292300001100351490000700362050001700369520074800386022001401134       2000                            d  c2000 Jun10aAfrica10aFemale10aHumans10aIndia10aleprosy10aPregnancy10aPregnancy Complications, Infectious10aSex10aSocial Isolation10aStereotyping10aWomen's Health1 aMorrison A00aA woman with leprosy is in double jeopardy.  uhttp://leprev.ilsl.br/pdfs/2000/v71n2/pdf/v71n2a04.pdf  a128-430 v71  aMORRISON20003 a<p>The double jeopardy associated with female leprosy patients is the central theme underpinning this essay. It constitutes a combination of biological factors unique to women and culturally defined bias, resulting in more stigmatization and isolation for women. Having examined the female immunological response and biological roles, the essay continues by focusing on the gender-culture perspective of leprosy. It draws upon an historical analysis of the experiences of Indian and African women to illustrate the ways in which gender roles impact upon health education and the utilization of health care services. Concluding comments suggest strategies that might improve female leprosy patient status, and views towards future research.</p>  a0305-7518