Awareness of Leprosy - Knowledge and Perception Among People Affected by Leprosy in an Endemic District, West Bengal, India

Leprosy continues to be a public health concern primarily because of its potential to cause physical disability, social stigma and discrimination, even for those who have been cured completely. This study attempts to explore the awareness of leprosy among the people affected by leprosy reporting at leprosy referral centre, Purulia, West Bengal, India. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 358 people affected by leprosy aged above 18 years. A semi-structured interview schedule was prepared to assess the awareness about leprosy which includes their knowledge and perception about the disease. Findings indicate that out of 358 respondents, 94% did not know the cause and mode of transmission of leprosy, 74% knew about the symptoms, 35% believed it as infectious disease and 84% opined that the disease was curable. Among them, 44%, 57% and 18% believed that the disease was chronic, life threatening and hereditary respectively. Most of the respondents (97%) considered allopathy as the most preferred mode of treatment and 60% believed that the deformity due to leprosy was correctable. This study manifests that the knowledge about the causes and modes of transmission of leprosy was not adequate among the affected people. However, they have knowledge about the symptoms and believe that the disease is curable by allopathy medical intervention. Improving the knowledge about the disease could positively reduce the inhibition and stigma about the disease which will also enhance the possibilities of early reporting and early detection.