Leprosy Villages Research Articles

Analyzing the Vulnerability of Children of Recovered Leprosy Patients: A Case Study of a Leprosy Village in Vietnam

Analyzing the Vulnerability of Children of Recovered Leprosy Patients: A Case Study of a Leprosy Village in Vietnam

Social Acceptance For Leprosy Infants: Case Study of Leprosy Village, in Balang Baru Village in Makassar City

The study delves into societal perceptions and interactions with leprosy-affected individuals in Balang Baru's Leprosy Village, addressing the prevalent negative stigma that shapes their social relationships. While striving for a more inclusive social space, affected individuals often experience alienation, limiting their interactions. Utilizing qualitative methods, including observation, interviews, and documentation, the research focuses on individuals impacted by leprosy, former patients, and the local community. Findings reveal a contrasting dynamic: within Balang Baru, residents view affected individuals as ordinary, fostering acceptance due to shared experiences. However, external societal acceptance remains scarce, hindering their engagement beyond the community. This study underscores the disparities in perception and interaction between internal and external environments. The challenge ahead lies in integrating affected individuals into broader society, necessitating bridging the gap between localized acceptance and the broader societal stigma. Ultimately, the research emphasizes the need to facilitate the inclusion of leprosy-affected individuals in the wider society beyond their immediate community.

Application of the Spiral of Silence Theory in Rural Mojokerto Indonesia: Opininion Contestation in Duck Village and Social Isolation in Leprosy Villagge

The background of this study is the hegemony of opinion in the Modopuro duck village and the social isolation of the Sumberglagah leprosy village. This study uses the spiral of silence as the main theory and supports patron-client relationships in rural communities theory. This study took two locations: the Sumberglagah leprosy village in Tangjungkenongo village and the duck village in Modopuro village. This study used a qualitative method focusing on two villages in Mojokerto Regency. This study found the application of the spiral of silence theory applies if public opinion or issues concern villagers' daily lives. Environmental pollution issues in Modopuro and the stigma of the Tanjungkenogo leprosy village are included in the close case category because they are related to the daily life and experiences of the villagers. Another finding is the emergence of patron-client relationships. The position of patrons from business circles with clients in Moduporo villagers is quite strong. Meanwhile, Tanjungkenongo village, which acts as a patron, is a public official for the clients of the villagers, especially the Sumberglagah leprosy village

The practice of village branding and marginalisation in Mojokerto, Indonesia

The background of this research is the phenomenon of villages that fail in branding and developing a positive image that causes marginalisation and stigma. The two research locations are the Sumberglagah ‘Leprosy Village’ in Tangjungkenongo and the ‘Duck Village’ in Modopuro. This study intended to answer two questions: how does it apply the place branding concept in the village scope? And more specifically, how do the village elites respond to these stigmas and discriminatory treatment the villagers receive? We used qualitative methods through interviews and questionnaires to answer these questions. This study found that the Tanjungkenongo village is known as the “Leprosy Village,” and one of the Sub-Villages in Sumberglagah is called the “Beggar Village.” On the other hand, the Modopuro village is known as the “Duck Village,” and Sememi’s Sub-Village is known as the “Chicken Intestine Waste Village.” As a response, the Tanjungkenongo Village elites tend to accept these outsiders’ perceptions towards their village. Meanwhile, the Modopuro Village Elites were divided into two groups. The elites who own related industries (duck farming, poultry slaughter, chicken intestine chips) feel comfortable with this image. In contrast, the elites who have no direct interest in the industries directly reject those outsiders’ views.

Factors contributing to activity limitations in Leprosy patients in Sitanala Leprosy Village, Indonesia

Factors contributing to activity limitations in Leprosy patients in Sitanala Leprosy Village, Indonesia

High transmission of leprosy among inhabitants in two former isolated leprosy villages in Senegal

High transmission of leprosy among inhabitants in two former isolated leprosy villages in Senegal

Perceived Stigma in People Affected by Leprosy in Leprosy Village of Sinatala, Tangerang District, Banten Province, Indonesia

Leprosy is a disease of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) which becomes a global problem and causes the perceived stigma in people affected by leprosy. This study aimed to determine most dominant factors affecting perceived stigma in people affected by leprosy in leprosy village of Sitanala, Tangerang District, Banten Province, Indonesia. The data used was secondary data taken from cross-sectional survey of a thesis which determined factors related to perceived stigma of leprosy in leprosy village of Sitanala, Tangerang, Indonesia. Samples were selected by purposive sampling. The results of the study showed that factors related to perceived stigma were level of education, perception of knowledge about leprosy, level of disability, and cultural values. There was modification effect between the level of disability and perception of knowledge about leprosy, OR1=4.82 (95% CI 1.26-18,34) and OR2=1.18 (95% CI 0.2-6.98). The dominant factor is level of education with PAR% = 38.8%.

Ex-Leprosy patients empowerment for improving living quality through empirical rational strategy in makassar 2018

Leprosy is still a public health problem in Indonesia. The impact is complex including medical, social, economic, cultural and security aspects. This study aimed to determine the formulation of a rational empirical strategy consisting of attitudes, life skills, work, economics, motivation and self-confidence, the implementation of empirical strategies and evaluation of rational empirical strategies for ex-leprosy in Makassar. This research used qualitative approach. Research side was on Jalan Dangko Makassar which is a leprosy village. Key informants included the Chairperson of the RW (sub-village) while the usual informants were lepers.

Dental caries and risk indicators for patients with leprosy in China

In leprosy, oral health is often neglected and poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and risk indicators of dental caries in patients with leprosy in China. This cross-sectional, multicentre study included 613 patients with leprosy and 602 control subjects. Based on the established standards of the World Health Organization, we investigated dental caries in cluster samplings from six so-called 'leprosy villages' in three Chinese provinces. Clinical oral examinations were performed and data were reported as decayed (D), missing (M) and filled (F) teeth (DMFT scores). The average DMFT scores were 10.39 in patients with leprosy (D=4.43; M=5.94; and F=0.02) and 4.39 in control individuals (D=2.29; M=2.02; F=0.08). The DMFT scores were statistically significantly different in patients with different ages, educational backgrounds and daily brushing frequency (P<0.05). High DMFT scores were related to age, low educational levels and poor toothbrushing habits. The results indicate that patients with leprosy have a high prevalence of severe dental caries. Effective therapy and oral health education should be enhanced for this group of patients.

Dental health and treatment needs in people with leprosy in China

To evaluate the dental health status and treatment needs of people affected by leprosy in China, and provide a basis for the development of national or regional dental health programmes to cover the treatment needs of this population. A cross-sectional study with 613 former leprosy patients was carried out in six leprosy villages, in three provinces in China (Nanjing, Taixing and Jiangyan in Jiangsu Province, Hanzhong and Shangluo in Shanxi Province and Yongzhou in Hunan Province). A questionnaire about demographic and clinical data was used. The World Health Organization's (WHO) basic methods were used to determine the tooth-based treatment needs. Periodontal status was determined by using the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN). In addition, prosthetic normative needs were assessed. Among the 613 people affected by leprosy, there were 472 people (77%) who had never visited a dentist and 172 people (28.1%) had never brushed their teeth; 302 (49.3%) brushed their teeth once a day. However, there were 267 people (43.6%) who thought their dental health was at an average level and 108 (17.6%) thought they had good dental health. 55.6% of the subjects required dental fillings, 32.7% required pulp care and restoration, and 71.1% required extraction. On CPITN, 23.2% of the subjects scored 2, 28.6% scored three and 48.0% scored four, showing that these people required systematic periodontal treatment. In addition, 84.5% of the subjects needed normative prosthetic treatment. Most of the subjects with leprosy in this study lacked self-care knowledge on dental health, and especially self-awareness of dental conditions. Normative treatment needs of people affected by leprosy were very high. This result calls for improved oral health education and oral health care in people with leprosy. Oral health education might preferably be integrated into already existing leprosy rehabilitation programs.

Current status of leprosy villages in Guangdong and a sampling survey on opinions about integration of these villages

Objective To provide scientific support for the effective implementation of a reconstruction project on leprosy villages investigating the current status of leprosy villages and the related personnel' s opinions about integrating the leprosy villages.Methods 12 leprosy villages in Guangdong province were used as a study subject.We conducted a special survey on the residents with leprosy and the medical staffs using focus group discussion,individual interview,questionnaire survey,and spot observation.Results Most the residents had minimum local living guarantee and basic medical insurance to maintain a basic life and medical treatment.However,their living conditions were still hard because the residents'income did not meet the requirement for the rising of living expense.Level of health care assurance was lower and the burden on the residents for treating severe diseases was heavy.Most the residents were reluctant to move out of the villages.Personal income and health care assurance were important factors affecting their desire to relocate.Conclusions We should pay more attention to the current status of residents with leprosy and respect their willing of integration of the leprosy villages.It is necessary to offer a reasonable guide basing on personal income and health care assurance.Medical resources should be rationally allocated as we make the policy on the integration of leprosy villages and the reconstruction project on the villages should be effectively implemented. Key words: Leprosy village; Current status; Integration

Prevalence and characteristics of neuropathic pain in the people affected by leprosy in China

To determine the prevalence and the characteristics of neuropathic pain among the people affected by leprosy in China. People affected by leprosy in four leprosy villages were interviewed about neuropathic pain with an interviewer-administrated questionnaire. In a total of 275 patients with leprosy interviewed, 126 (45.8%) reported having symptoms suggestive of neuropathic pain. The pain was severe in 70 (55.5%) patients, moderate in 49 (38.9%) and mild in 7 (5.6%). Of the 126 patients with leprosy, 109 (86.5%) stated that the pain had some impact on their daily life: mild in 13 (10.3%), moderate in 45 (35.7%) and severe in 51 (40.5%). Sleep disturbance caused by pain was reported in 119 (94.4%) patients with leprosy: mild in 13 (10.3%), moderate in 51 (40.5%) and severe in 55 (43.6%). Ninety-six patients with leprosy (76.2%) reported that they had tried analgesics alone or in combination with steroids for the relief of their pain, of which 78 (81.2%) people reported that the treatment was effective. Neuropathic pain is not uncommon in both MB and PB patients who have completed effective antimicrobial treatment. The effectiveness of analgesics alone or in combination with steroids, in the treatment of neuropathic pain in patients with leprosy, needs to be studied.

Leprosy in China

1 Rodrigues LC, Lockwood DNJ. Leprosy now: epidemiology, progress, challenges, and research gaps. Lancet Infect Dis 2011; 11: 464–70. 2 Shen JP, Zhang GC, Chen XS, Zhou M, Yu MW, Yan LB. A long-term evolution on the epidemiological characteristics of leprosy, towards the goal of its elimination in 1949–2007 in China. Chin J Epidemiol 2008; 29: 1095–100 (in Chinese). 3 Ministry of Health. Ministry of Health and relevant departments express sympathy and solicitude with leprosy patients. http://www. moh.gov.cn/publicfi les/business/htmlfi les/ mohjbyfk zj/ptpxw/201101/50510.htm (accessed July 28, 2011). 4 Alberts CJ, Smith WCA, Meima A, Wang LM, Richardus JH. Potential eff ect of the World Health Organization’s 2011–2015 global leprosy strategy on the prevalence of grade 2 disability: a trend analysis. Bull World Health Organ 2011; 89: 487–95. Leprosy in China

An investigation in Leprosy village on present situation and moving inclination of ex-leprosy patients in Guizhou province

为了解贵州省麻风病院村(麻风村)留村患者的生活、医疗现状、搬迁意愿、不愿搬迁原因以及对改扩建后麻风村的各类需求等情况,为制定改造建设方案和建成后的麻风村管理办法提供科学依据,于2008年对部分麻风村留村人员进行了问卷调查。

Healing Water: A Hawaiian Story (review)

Reviewed by: Healing Water: A Hawaiian Story Karen Coats Hostetter, Joyce Moyer; Healing Water: A Hawaiian Story;. Calkins Creek/ Boyds Mills, 2008; 217p ISBN 978-1-59078-514-0 $17.95 R Gr. 7-10 It's the late 1800s, and Pia relishes life playing in the environs of his native Hawai'i with his lifelong friend Kamaka, until the morning when his mother discovers the dreaded marks of leprosy on Pia's neck and shoulders. The tragedy of his disease is nothing compared to the pain of being abandoned by Kamaka, who stays away from the moment he hears that his friend has been afflicted. Pia's world is shattered by the anger he feels toward Kamaka, and he carries that anger with him as he is sent to the leprosy settlement on Moloka'i to live out his life without friends or family. His anger keeps him alive but turns him into a criminal, as he steals food and allows himself to be adopted by the local thug. Things become even more complicated when Kamaka arrives with his wife, another victim of the dreaded and little understood disease, and he seeks Pia's forgiveness for his behavior. For readers who've only ever imagined Hawai'i as a vacation paradise, this is a riveting look into its history and people during a dark period. Pia's perspective provides dimension to the values of native Hawaiians; he is distressed to find the qualities of family, sharing, and compassion largely absent in the leprosy village, and yet he finds those qualities strained to the point of breaking in himself. The portrait of Father Damien, the Belgian priest who dedicates his life to helping the villagers, is rendered so compassionately (and realistically) that it doesn't carry the taint of the stereotypical white man's rescue; instead, he reminds the people of the values they carry inside them already and draws them away from the despair and grief that have [End Page 388] temporarily kept them from helping and caring for one another. An extensive author's note, glossary, and resource list are included; readers will find their compassion stirred and their interest piqued through this truly fine historical novel. Copyright © 2008 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois

The sustainability of self-care in two counties of Guizhou Province, Peoples’ Republic of China

This paper presents the findings of a follow-up survey conducted in two rural counties of Guizhou Province, PRC where a programme to prevent disabilities amongst leprosy affected people had been conducted. An initial 3-year programme had been conducted. One year after the final evaluation of the programme, a team was deployed to conduct a survey in the area. The objective of the survey was to establish the level of adherence to self-care. It was found that 87% of the sample of people living in leprosy villages that were surveyed (n = 31) and 50% of the sample of people living in general communities (n = 50) had continued to apply self-care. Interviews with family members suggested that 18 of the 27 self-care practising subjects living in the leprosy villages received encouragement or active support from family members (9 were single people). Twenty three of the 25 self-care practising subjects living in the communities also received family support (2 were single people). Family support was a highly significant factor influencing adherence in the community (OR = 15.8, CI = 3.0 to 83) but it may not have been the primary motivating factor in the leprosy villages where single people were just as likely to have adhered to self-care than people who were living in families (OR 0.5, CI = 0.06 to 4.2). The prevalence of foot ulceration among that population was recorded but a hypothetical association between the prevalence of foot ulceration and self-care adherence could not be investigated due to insufficient data to address the potential effects of confounding variables. Thirty-eight percent of subjects who did not practice self-care presented with ulceration or foot cracks (n = 29) compared with only 25% of people who did (n = 52).

Needs assessment of income generation training for youths among leprosy families in a leprosy village in Myanmar

After Myanmar eliminated leprosy in 2003, the prevention of disability (POD), as well as prevention of worsening disabilities (POWD) and rehabilitation became a new agenda, which is one of three national strategies of leprosy control beyond 2005. Since the training needs for income generation for youths living in leprosy villages were not well known, a small-scale survey was conducted in May 2005. This study found that the youths in Mayanchaung village, Yangon Division, were eager to receive training on income generation. After training they wanted to practice and improve their skills with the resources available, because they perceived that a short training course would not enable them to get a proper job. Although they were fully aware of income generation skills, they found it difficult to adequately consider issues such as resources for practicing skills after training, social marketing, and seeking job opportunities. They also felt that mediators could be helpful between villagers and external customers / retailers. On the other hand, the elders, most of whom had disabilities, wanted the youths to stay in the village to take care of them. A basic sewing and stitching training course that was planned to match the study results was produced in January 2006. After 11 months it was observed that a newly opened sewing workshop was busy operating 12 sewing machines because of a big order of making primary school uniforms. How effective the needs assessment was still unknown, but it was found that prior need assessment activities followed by a training course upon the real needs might promote the proper processes of social rehabilitation of youths in a leprosy village of Myanmar.

Qualitative assessment of social, economic and medical needs for ex-leprosy patients living in leprosy villages in Shandong Province, The People’s Republic of China

After successful control of the endemic of leprosy in Shandong Province, China, how to deal with ex-leprosy patients living in the leprosy villages/leprosaria has become a hot topic among programme managers, medical staff and governmental officials at different levels. One of the possible solutions in dealing with the problem was proposed to combine small leprosy villages into a few larger, already existing, leprosaria/leprosy villages with better facilities, in order to provide better care for ex-leprosy patients and make better use of existing resources. With this assumption, social, economic and medical needs felt by ex-leprosy patients in three leprosy villages of Shandong province were assessed qualitatively, and the possibilities and obstacles regarding combination were explored. The results showed that the basic needs for living, such as food and clothes, were provided by state governments, although living standards remained at a low level. Medical care was not satisfactory, as many health problems related and unrelated to leprosy were increasing, and self-care needed to be addressed, as the dependents grew older and the disability status became worse. Although the majority of ex-leprosy patients, medical staff and government officials interviewed agreed with the idea of the adjustment of leprosy villages/leprosaria, some obstacles, including stigma, existed. Government commitment, ideally at top level, was needed in order to facilitate the process of combination.

Role of leprosy villages and leprosaria in Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China: past, present and future

In the late phase of the leprosy control programme in Shandong Province, People's Republic of China, there are a few old and disabled ex-patients living in 54 leprosy villages/leprosaria. The small, and declining number of patients makes the running of these leprosy villages/leprosaria uneconomic. In this paper, we review the history and the role of leprosy villages/leprosaria in the care of leprosy patients and the control programme in Shandong province. We then analyse the present situation of the 643 people still living in these leprosy villages/leprosaria, using information collected from a questionnaire-based survey. Finally, we offer some suggestions and recommendations for policy makers and leprosy control managers, in order to improve the present situation and make better use of existing resources.

Assessment of the methods available for testing sensation in leprosy patients in a rural setting

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy, practicality and patient understanding of 5 methods used for testing sensation in leprosy patients, in a rural setting. The tests used were the WHO test, cottonwool, pin-prick, monofilaments and the biothesiometer. We concentrated on testing sensation in the hands, and the various tests were carried out on 75 patients and 32 controls, all taken from villagers living at Kindwitwi Leprosy Village, Tanzania. Our results showed that although the WHO test, cottonwool and pin-prick were all easy to use, cheap and well accepted they were not sensitive enough to be of any practical value. We found that the monofilaments, as well as being cheap and easy to use, had great potential value, as the 2-g monofilament could be used as a threshold value (indicative of leprosy, but not diagnostic) for protective sensation with a combined false-positive and false-negative value of only 4%. Finally, the biothesiometer was found to be a precise test that can accurately identify leprosy patients from controls and identify patients at risk of ulceration. It was, however, associated with its own problems, chiefly those of expense and its need of electricity, although we found this latter problem could be easily and relatively cheaply solved by the use of a solar powered recharger (Appendix).