DETERMINANT FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF PEOPLE WITH LEPROSY IN SUMENEP, INDONESIA

Abstract

Leprosy is a potentially debilitating disease, that affects patients beyond medical conditions due to its potential impact on mobility, relationships with others, marriage, work, and social activities. The objective of this study was to know the quality of life of leprosy persons in Sumenep regency, Madura, and identify what factors affect the quality of life of people with leprosy. The study was a cross-sectional study involving 110 people with leprosy at Poteran Island, Sumenep regency, in 2017. We used a pre-designed questionnaire to evaluate demographics, attitude, knowledge, perceived stigma, and family support. The quality of life was assessed using a short version of the WHO Quality of Life Assessment, the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire, which consisted of four dimensions: physical health, psychological conditions, social relations, and environmental conditions. These four domains were summed to get the overall quality of life. Chi-square and logistic regression analyses were performed using SPSS V 23 software using p-value and PR (Prevalence Ratio). About 55.5% of respondents had impaired quality of life. Stigma was a more dominant factor that affected the quality of life followed by knowledge, income, family support and age with POR 10.26, 8.17, 7.37, 7.31, and 4.10, successively. We suggest that to improve the quality of life of people affected by leprosy, it is necessary to deal with stigma through counseling, group therapy, and physical and occupational rehabilitation. Health promotion activities should be directed at empowering families and the community to play an active role in changing people’s behavior and modifying the social environment as well as maintaining and improving general health.