Impact of Socio – Environmental Concerns on Stigmatised Diseases (With Special Reference to TB and Leprosy)

In the present study an endeavour has been made to understand the observance of socio – economic and environmental concerns and its impact on occurrence of Tuberculosis (TB) and Leprosy. A total of 80 patients (40 patients of TB and 40 patients of leprosy) were selected purposively from Out Patient Department (OPD) of TB Sapru government hospital of Allahabad district for collection of primary data. Secondary data were collected through different secondary sources such as different journals, reports, internet sources etc. An interview schedule having open and closed ended questions were used for data collection. The questions pertaining socio – economic and demographic characteristics of patients with TB and leprosy were included in the interview schedule. Result of the study show that persons living in kuchha houses, traditional methods used as cooking fuel, insufficient number of meals and improper food stuffs taken, lower level of educational status, overcrowded household without proper ventilation all linked with poor socio – economic and environmental conditions that make a person more susceptible for TB and leprosy infection. Proper health education programmes must be propagated by the government and non – government bodies to detect the ailment at the early stage. Health camps must be run by the government and non – government bodies for free health check – ups for early detection of the ailment.