ABSTRACT
Under our National Leprosy Eradication Programme, Leprosy cases are being detected by para-medical workers by conducting population surveys. In order to detect the leprosy cases early, for their timely anti-leprosy treatment, it is necessary that the leprosy surveys are implemented and supervised efficiently. However, present experience indicates that the existing survey efficiency needs to be improved, for which it is necessary to analyse the factors which may interfere with the optimal survey efficiency of para-medical workers. An attempt has been made through present piece of work to identify such factors in relation to (i) the para-medical workers and survey facilities, (ii) the implementation and supervision of leprosy survey and (iii) the community involved in survey. These factors are discussed in detail to assist the NLEP Administrators in devising a suitable action plan to improve leprosy case detection efficiency.
Subject(s)
Community Health Workers , Health Surveys , Humans , India , Interviews as Topic , Leprosy/diagnosis , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Hundred beggar leprosy patients were medically examined and skin smears were taken for bacteriological positivity for A.F.B. Information regarding their treatment was collected. 20% of them were found bacteriologically positive and 40% of the positive cases were not taking treatment. Epidemiological and operational implications of the findings are discussed.
Subject(s)
Biopsy , Dapsone/therapeutic use , Ill-Housed Persons , Humans , India , Leper Colonies , Leprosy/diagnosis , Skin/pathologyABSTRACT
Randomly selected 500 adult leprosy patients, registered for treatment with six Sectors of a Leprosy Control Unit in Chingleput District of Tamil Nadu (India) were interviewed to study their perception, and experiences with medical care being delivered to them through leprosy clinic(s), and their suggestions to improve the system. About 14% patients did not perceive their disease as leprosy. And 8% of the total patients were taking treatment outside their sector leprosy clinics. The services like physiotherapy, rehabilitation, health education etc. were known to only 3-8% patients, perhaps on account of their non-availability and or non-practice. On an average, a patient had to cover a distance of 2.1 +/- 2.5 KMs (one side) in 24 +/- 49 minutes to reach clinic spot, mostly by walk (83.2%), and spent 58.9 +/- 32.2 minutes at clinic, of which two third in waiting for service(s). Each patient had consulted 1.23 +/- 0.55 medical agencies for treatment of leprosy. The average man-day and wage losses to a patient, due to monthly clinic attendance, were estimated to be 0.48 +/- 0.49 days and Rs. 2.28 +/- 3.06, respectively. Only 10.6% of the 500 patients got admitted 1.55 +/- 0.89 times in leprosy hospital for a duration of 63 +/- 69.30 days and lost wages of Rs. 126.4 +/- 85.64 per month of stay in hospital. Availability and efficient delivery of comprehensive medical care through well organized and regularly conducted leprosy clinic, by considerate and sympathetic staff was much emphasised by patients. Various factors influencing medical care delivery and its utilization by patients, are discussed in this communication.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Ambulatory Care Facilities , Attitude to Health , Community Participation , Delivery of Health Care , Female , Humans , India , Leprosy/psychology , Male , Patient Acceptance of Health Care , Patient Care Team , Patient Compliance , Patient Education as Topic , Random AllocationABSTRACT
As an alternative approach, 310 community leaders consisting of village political leaders, school teachers, Govt. staff, members of socio-welfare and religious agencies, graduate students and traders from 21 villages of Chingleput district of Tamilnadu (India) were interviewed to explore the possibilities of their involvement in leprosy health education community. Though majority (76%) of respondents were not fully aware about various aspects of leprosy and showed negative reactions (51%) towards leprosy patients; almost all realised the importance of educating community about leprosy for its early control, for which a large majority (88%) of them had expressed their willingness to participate in leprosy health education and control programme by devoting an average of 4.4 +/- 5.4 hours per week. A good number (54%) of them had also been educating people about leprosy in one or the other way. The leaders who had been exposed to leprosy health education especially in recent past, were significantly better equipped with knowledge about leprosy and its control and were much more willing to participate in NLCP, than others. Study concluded that if the community leaders are approached, educate and motivated properly, they would certainly involve themselves to provide a valuable strength to our leprosy health education and control programme.