How Ignorance and Traditional Belief Are Affecting Treatment of Childhood Leprosy in Nigeria: A Case Study

Childhood leprosy is an important marker of the status of the ongoing leprosy control programme, as it is an indicator of active disease transmission in the community. Multidrug therapy (MDT), when started early, can effectively prevent disease progression and permanent or progressive deformities. Ignorance and traditional beliefs remain major challenges affecting compliance with MDT. We present a case of a 4-year-old male child with leprosy whose treatment was hampered by ignorance and traditional beliefs resulting into a belowknee amputation of the left lower limb which will probably condemn the child to a life with disability. Raising awareness among people thus should continue to receive highest priority.