The Effect of Health Education on Leprosy-Related Stigma Among Patients and Family Contacts at Prof. Dr. I.G.N.G. Ngoerah General Hospital: A Pre- and Post-Study

Background

Stigma against leprosy patients remains a challenge in efforts to control this disease. Educational interventions are needed to increase public knowledge and reduce prejudice against patients. This study aims to evaluate the effect of education on leprosy stigma among patients and their family contacts at Prof. Dr. I.G.N.G. Ngoerah General Hospital.

Methods

This study used a quasi-experimental design with a one-group pretest-posttest approach. The study was conducted at the Dermatology and Venereology Polyclinic of Prof. Dr. I.G.N.G. Ngoerah General Hospital, Denpasar, Bali, from February to July 2025. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software version 26.0 with a significance level of α = 0.05.

Results

A total of 50 respondents were involved, consisting of 37 leprosy patients and 13 family members. A significant relationship was found between stigma before and after health education (p = 0.031). Educational level (p = 0.001), clinical presentation (p = 0.002), and economic level (p = 0.029) were also significantly associated with the level of stigma after health education. Respondents with higher education showed a significant decrease in stigma (OR = 11.245; 95% CI: 2.044–61.862; p = 0.005). Similarly, respondents with non-neurological disorders showed lower levels of stigma (OR = 12.415; 95% CI: 2.208–69.808; p = 0.004).

Conclusions

The findings of this study indicate that health education significantly contributed to reducing leprosy-related stigma, with educational level and clinical presentation identified as key determining factors.

Indonesian Abstract

Latar Belakang

Stigma terhadap penderita kusta masih menjadi tantangan dalam upaya penanggulangan penyakit ini. Diperlukan intervensi edukatif untuk meningkatkan pengetahuan masyarakat dan mengurangi prasangka terhadap penderita. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengevaluasi pengaruh penyuluhan terhadap stigma penyakit kusta pada pasien dan keluarga kontak di RSUP Prof. Dr. I.G.N.G. Ngoerah.

Metode

Studi ini menggunakan desain quasi-experimental dengan pendekatan one-group pretest-posttest. Penelitian dilaksanakan di Poliklinik Kulit dan Kelamin RSUP Prof. Dr. I.G.N.G. Ngoerah, Denpasar, Bali, dalam rentang Februari -Juli 2025. Analisis data dilakukan menggunakan perangkat lunak SPSS versi 26.0 dengan tingkat signifikansi α = 0,05.

Hasil

Sebanyak 50 responden dilibatkan, terdiriatas 37 pasien kusta dan 13 anggota keluarga. Ditemukan hubungan signifikan antara stigma sebelum dan setelah penyuluhan (p = 0,031). Tingkat pendidikan (p = 0,001), presentasi klinis (p = 0,002), dan tingkat ekonomi (p = 0,029) juga berhubungan secara signifikan dengan tingkat stigma pasca penyuluhan. Responden dengan pendidikan tinggi menunjukkan penurunan stigma yang bermakna (OR = 11,245; 95% CI: 2,044–61,862; p = 0,005). Demikian pula, responden dengan gangguan non-neurologis menunjukkan tingkat stigma lebih rendah (OR = 12,415; 95% CI: 2,208–69,808; p = 0,004).

Kesimpulan

Hasil penelitian ini mengindikasikan bahwa penyuluhan berkontribusi signifikan dalam menurunkan stigma terhadap penyakit kusta, dengan pendidikan dan presentasi klinis sebagai faktorpenentu utama.Kata kunci: Penyuluhan;Kusta;Stigma.