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Violation of Human Rights of Leprosy Afflicted Persons: Some Real Life Experiences

Abstract

In the present study an attempt has been made to understand the observance of marginalization and social exclusion of leprosy patients in their family and community and their violation of human rights. A total of forty (40) leprosy Afflicted Persons (LAPs), 20 without deformities and 20 having deformities were selected through stratified random sampling method from 'The Leprosy Mission Hospital (TLM)' of Allahabad district of Uttar Pradesh (India). Narratives of lived experiences of LAPs, supplement with observations, were used for data collection to observe the interaction patterns of LAPs with their family, neighbors and community members. The content analysis of data indicates that some of the LAPs experienced isolation and discrimination in their family, community and economic life. Some of the medical personnel also showed their hesitance in providing health services to them. It is also found that socio-economic problems became more in case of LAPs with visible deformities in comparison to LAPs who did not have deformities. Traditional cultural beliefs of the disease like the 'sin of previous birth', 'punishment of God', and 'fear of infection by germs', appear to be contributing to social, cultural, economic isolation of these patients. On the contrary lack of awareness about the ailment and also modern medical belief system like disease is not infectious and curable are may be helping in promoting their integration into their family and community, however, these aspects need to be studied in depth in current scenario. As present study is just based on some examples from a select group, it can not be considered as representative of all LAPs across the country which, however, should not be ignored at person level specially from the perspective of human rights. Health education programmes should be better implemented to prevent the physical disabilities, to reduce the traditional cultural beliefs and values associated with leprosy.

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Type
Journal Article
Author
Dwivedi P

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