Evolution of Social Wellbeing of Leprosy Affected People

Leprosy is not new; it is one of the oldest diseases and perhaps among the most cited illnesses of human suffering. Leprosy not only affects the physical and mental state of a person but significantly limits the social well being; it affects an individual's ability to create good social relationships, social acceptance; it also causes the stigmatization and de-habilitation of patients. Leprosy-related social issues have resulted from perceptions made because of misunderstanding, unavailability of treatment, socio-economic conditions, and mainly because of disabilities arising in the absence of effective, timely diagnosis and treatment. Many of these factors are considered changeable. Over a long time scale, significant changes have become evident; therefore, the need to explore the situation through literature has been felt; hence, this study was carried out with a focus on the Indian scenario. Review indicates a significant change in leprosy-affected people's social well-being with shifts in eras from no treatment to monotherapy, MDT and later. While in no treatment era, the body of leprosyaffected people was not considered as pure to sacrifice to the Gods; in the current post-elimination era, leprosy patients are largely accepted by their families and community, being invited to participate in family and social functions; but the undeniable fact is, still many affected are forced to live as outcasts and stigma in various forms exists that demands more proactive evidence-based locally adapted approaches to address the issues. In addition, to strengthen the availability of timely medical and surgical management services, psychosocial & social interventions as per personal and local needs will be required in the times to come.