Psycho-social and environmental factors in triad model for the management of control programme: focus on leprosy.

The study addresses the question of how the qualitative aspect of the interaction between the people involved in the leprosy control programme affects the process of patients (P), service providers (SP) and satellite informants (SI) composed of community leaders, in the delivery of basic leprosy control services in two high leprosy endemic villages in La Union province, the Philippines. The interaction between P, SP and SI as an independent variable is imagined to be linked in a form of a triad, influenced by psycho-social and environmental variables. Data was gathered by conventional methods as interviews, historical research and use of rating scales as well as non-conventional methods as PUP, a locally developed standardized instrument which measures variables that determine a Filipino's adjustment to social situations, and photographic documentation. Statistical analysis was made on the independent variable and the dependent variable - an improved Leprosy Control Programme. It was observed that the stigmatization of Hansenites had deep historical roots with the policy of colonial administrations to isolate and segregate Hansenites. This stigma remains to the present and was observed to exist even among service providers: Low knowledge levels of patients on the causes of the disease on the one hand, and service providers on the cure, particularly on the use of Multiple Drug Therapy. The reorganization scheme of the Health Ministry also resulted in the slow down of leprosy control activities thereby affecting delivery of services. Individual personality traits and other psycho-social factors of P, SP and SI further contributed to the lag in service delivery.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Socio-economic research in the Philippines with special references to leprosy.

This brief paper presents the need for studies on the social aspects of leprosy; it also describes a current research project in the Philippines with a multidisciplinary team consisting of medical doctors and social scientists. Moreover, it tries to show what the research data might do to improve leprosy control programmes. The research team hopes that these pioneering efforts in the study of the social aspects of leprosy, which is a highly stigmatized disease, will encourage other scientists to follow suit.