COMMUNITY AWARENESS ABOUT LEPROSY IN A DISTRICT OF NEPAL

Abstract

ABSTRACTNepal is one of the countries with high prevalence of leprosy. In general, the prevalence of the disease isrelatively higher in the plains than in the hills. We analyzed the knowledge of leprosy in the community bya structured questionnaires study. The sources of information from where they acquired the knowledgewere also studied. This study was done in Sunsari district of Nepal on National Immunization Day program.Out of 1647 respondents, 60% were female. The majority (74%) was between 20–40 years of the age group.Agricultural workers constituted 58%. One third of the respondents were illiterates. Approximately 60%of the respondents knew the cause and symptoms of leprosy. “Leprosy is curable” was felt by 81.8%.Although 75% of the respondents knew that drugs for leprosy were available free of cost, the goal ofelimination was understood by only 51% of respondents. The younger individuals had better knowledge ofthe cause and availability of the free treatment of leprosy. The females had equal knowledge about cure, buthad less knowledge of the cause, symptoms, availability of the free treatment and elimination goal. Illiterates,laborers and unemployed had significantly less knowledge of leprosy. There was no difference seen betweendifferent levels of education in literate groups. Radio was the single most effective means of providinginformation, education and communications about leprosy. A good knowledge of leprosy inculcates a positiveattitude towards leprosy. In general this may result in better case reporting and regularity of treatment aswell as fewer deformities.Key Words: Leprosy, Community Awareness.