Back to search
Publication

Leprosy - The Name and the Stigma

Abstract

The stigma associated with leprosy, which has prevailed in virtually every culture, has resulted in discrimination, stereotypes, labelling, and ultimately the social exclusion of individuals affected by leprosy from equal participation in society. This paper traces back the religious worldview of the disease and the term 'leprosy' and its impact on stigma and attitudes. Stigma is multifactorial and is related not only to the nomenclature of the disease but to other factors like availability of effective treatment, ability to control the transmission of the disease and disability. It has been observed that a society's response to leprosy is determined by a combination of religious, medical, legal, and social ideas. The milestones in the semantics of the term leprosy and the proposals to change to less stigmatising eponyms, including Hansen's disease point to these influences. In recent times, there has been increased advocacy in various fora on the replacement of the word 'leprosy' with other more acceptable terms. This paper examines the pros and cons of this name change proposal in different cultural contexts of India, Brazil and other parts of the world and the practicality of abandoning the use of the word 'leprosy' from all reference to the disease. The need for a new outlook on leprosy by the public, the patient and the doctor cannot be over emphasised; and similarly, the need to rid society and patients from the shackles of negative narratives and traditions. Key approaches that could positively reduce stigma related to the disease and to the term leprosy are to clear the misconceptions about the disease through awareness and educational campaigns, and strengthen the efforts to diagnose the disease early to prevent disability. The endeavour should be to remove the stigma wrongly attached to the word “leprosy” rather than to abandon the name.

More information

Type
Journal Article
Author
Narasimharao P
Suneetha S