Abstract
BackgroundAlthough Ethiopia eliminated leprosy as public health problem 20 years ago, still more than 3000 new cases are reported annually. Leprosy related disability affects patients’ day to day physical activities and their participation in social activities. Assessing the degree of activity limitation and social participation is recommended to show disability and assess the efficacy of rehabilitation efforts.Methodology and principal findingA hospital based cross sectional study was conducted among a total of 305 leprosy patients. Data were collected by face to face interview using Screening of Activity Limitation and Safety Awareness (SALSA) scale and participation scale. The analysis was done with SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics was done and then binary logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with activity limitation as well as participation limitation.Most patients (219, 71.8%) had activity limitation; 41 (13.4%) with severe and 25 (8.2%) with extreme limitations. More than half of patients (168, 55.1%) were suffering from participation restriction; with 43 (14.1%) having severe restriction and 30 (9.8%) extreme restriction. Older age, low educational status, distance from treatment center, time of treatment and higher Eye, Hand, Foot disability score were associated with activity limitation. Similarly, older age, low educational status and being unmarried were significantly associated with participation restriction.ConclusionThis study revealed that activity limitation and participation restriction are common among leprosy patients. Earlier diagnosis and improved rehabilitative services may help to decrease activity limitation, whereas community rehabilitation may improve social participation. The old and centralized leprosy rehabilitation services need to be decentralized and backed with modern equipment and trained staffs.
Highlights
Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease that mainly affects the skin and peripheral nerves, leading to neuropathy and related complications, including disability and physical disfigurement
This study revealed that activity limitation and participation restriction are common among leprosy patients
For the first time in Ethiopia, we described the degree of activity and social participation limitation of adults with leprosy attending one of the leprosy centers
Summary
Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease that mainly affects the skin and peripheral nerves, leading to neuropathy and related complications, including disability and physical disfigurement. Despite elimination of leprosy as a public health problem in 2000 both globally and at the national level, new cases continue to appear [1]. Over 200,000 new leprosy cases were reported in 2018 [2]. The new case notification remains the same for the past ten years ranging between 3000–4000 new cases per year It is among the countries reporting the highest number of new leprosy cases with grade two disability [3]. Ethiopia eliminated leprosy as public health problem 20 years ago, still more than 3000 new cases are reported annually. Leprosy related disability affects patients’ day to day physical activities and their participation in social activities. Assessing the degree of activity limitation and social participation is recommended to show disability and assess the efficacy of rehabilitation efforts
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
