Perspectives of leprosy patients on MDT services after integration of NLEP functions into primary health care.

ABSTRACT

Sixty-five leprosy patients residing in rural Digapahandi block of Ganjam district were studied during July-August 2001 in order to ascertain their perspectives regarding different MDT services after NLEP functions were integrated into primary health care (PHC) in Orissa after September 1999. They included 43.08% multibacillary (MB) cases and 61.92% paucibacillary (PB) cases. Assessment was done by personal interviews of adult patients and the parents of child cases after verification of their treatment cards at the sub-centre. Patient's knowledge regarding the availability of MDT services under PHC services and utilization of these services were highlighted. Influence of different socio-demographic factors was also studied. Basing on the study results, recommendations were made for sustained NLEP functions through PHC in order to improve the utilization of MDT services, which will help in the elimination of leprosy.