Stigma guidelines

Introduction ILEP guidelines to reduce stigma

The Guidelines to reduce stigma have been written for managers, health workers, social workers and service staff who deal with stigma in relation to people affected by leprosy and other health conditions. The guides provide evidence-based and best practice information from different disciplines and recommendations for field workers on how to reduce stigma against and among people affected by leprosy.

The Guidelines to reduce stigma were produced as an output of the Stigma Research Workshop, hosted in October 2010 in Amsterdam.

• The first Guide provides basic information on stigma, its causes, manifestations, and effects.
• The second Guide describes when and how to assess stigma using qualitative and quantitative methods and instruments. It also explains how to use the instruments.
• The third Guide provides recommendations on how to develop an approach for reducing stigma. Through the use of a roadmap, several steps are discussed for reducing stigma related to a particular health condition.
• The fourth Guide explains the use of counselling at a basic level in dealing with stigma. It provides an explanation of different techniques and approaches for counselling persons affected by stigma.

Please contact Wim van Brakel or Infolep for further information.