Stigma-associated psychosocial problems are common in leprosy. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing the disease disruption among people affected by leprosy (PAL). A cross-sectional study was conducted among 358 people affected by leprosy above the age of 18, married and who were reporting at the tertiary leprosy referral hospital, Purulia, West Bengal. A semi-structured questionnaire was prepared and validated to collect the demographic and disease profile. The 11 points numerical rating scale was used to measure the disease disruption in family, social and work life. The results showed that 42%, 57% and 82% of the respondents felt that their disease conditions did not disrupt their work life, social life, and family life respectively. Association test showed that the male respondents experienced more disruption in their social life whereas female respondents experienced more in their family life. People with disability due to leprosy disease and disease duration above three years experienced more disruption in their work, social and family life due to disease than the people without disability and disease duration less than three years. The study emphasizes that awareness about leprosy should be improved among the family and community to enhance positive attitudes towards the disease.
BT - Indian Journal of Leprosy LA - eng N2 -Stigma-associated psychosocial problems are common in leprosy. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing the disease disruption among people affected by leprosy (PAL). A cross-sectional study was conducted among 358 people affected by leprosy above the age of 18, married and who were reporting at the tertiary leprosy referral hospital, Purulia, West Bengal. A semi-structured questionnaire was prepared and validated to collect the demographic and disease profile. The 11 points numerical rating scale was used to measure the disease disruption in family, social and work life. The results showed that 42%, 57% and 82% of the respondents felt that their disease conditions did not disrupt their work life, social life, and family life respectively. Association test showed that the male respondents experienced more disruption in their social life whereas female respondents experienced more in their family life. People with disability due to leprosy disease and disease duration above three years experienced more disruption in their work, social and family life due to disease than the people without disability and disease duration less than three years. The study emphasizes that awareness about leprosy should be improved among the family and community to enhance positive attitudes towards the disease.
PY - 2022 SP - 23 EP - 31 T2 - Indian Journal of Leprosy TI - Disease Disruption among People Affected by Leprosy UR - https://ijl.org.in/2022/3%20G%20Pitchaimani%20et%20al%20%20(23-31).pdf VL - 94 ER -