A Case Study on Demographic Features and Treatment Measures of Leprosy Patients

Background/Objectives: An attempt is made in this paper to find out the demographic background of the leprosy patents, facilities available to the patients toward curing/treating leprosy and treatment procedure followed by the respondents in the study area.

Methods/Statistical analysis: Convenient sampling technique is used to selection of the study area. For the purpose of the study, Salur Mandal, Vizianagaram district, Andhra Pradesh, India is selected.

Findings: In the study, it is observed in most cases that if the leprosy attacked at early age, then the diseased disliked going to school. Of the total patients, about 34 (94.44%) were related to Multibacillary leprosy (MB) and 2 (5.56%) were Paucibacillary patients. About 77.78 per cent were getting entire treatment for free of cost/any additional expenses involved and 36.11 % patients have MCR foot wears. About 69.44 % of the respondents were cured of leprosy related secondary complications. According to 50 per cent of the patients, reconstructive Surgery facilities are also available to them. But artificial Limbs are not supplied at required manner. The study suggests that the respondents' age may play an important role in expressing stigma arising as a consequence of their misconceptions.

Improvements/Applications: Therefore, health education messages need to be age-specific to effectively target the intended audience and address the specific misconceptions identified by the study as giving rise to stigmatizing behaviours among the selected subpopulation.