ABSTRACT
In this study, the effect of health education on a sample of 325 absentee leprosy patients was assessed in a leprosy endemic area. About 46% of the absentees from the study group returned to the clinic following health education (HE). HE was more effective amongst those who defaulted in the later part of their treatment sessions. Monthly attendance rate increased from 70%-74% to 72%-91% following HE. Amongst the absentees, 58% were absent due to personal reasons and 8% due to health service related reasons. Personal reasons was the commonest cause for absenting at second pulse. At third pulse it was due to socio-economic reasons. At fourth pulse it was due to service-related reasons. At fifth pulse the commonest reason was disease-related. Health education had proved to be a definite solution to solve the absentee problem.