Investigation of community knowledge, attitudes and stigma towards leprosy in Nigeria: a mixed-methods study.
Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg
; 118(10): 697-709, 2024 Oct 01.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-39126677
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Little is known about community knowledge and stigma towards leprosy in endemic settings. The aim of this study was to evaluate community knowledge, attitudes and stigma towards leprosy in Nigeria.METHODS:
This was a mixed-methods study consisting of a quantitative cross-sectional survey of community members and qualitative focus group discussions with community members and people affected by leprosy as well as key informant interviews with healthcare workers and community leaders.RESULTS:
Of the 811 survey participants, 401 (49.4%) had a poor knowledge of leprosy that was driven by cultural beliefs, fear of its contagiousness and poor knowledge of its means of transmission. The participants reported high stigma levels with a mean score of 18.96±7.73 on the Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue Community Stigma Scale and 9.39±7.03 on the Social Distance Scale. Stigma levels were influenced by age, residence, education and knowledge of leprosy. Qualitative data suggested that community members were scared of leprosy infectiousness, and local illness concepts and misconceptions informed attitudes and behaviour towards leprosy in the community.CONCLUSION:
Community members have a poor knowledge of, and high stigma levels towards leprosy. Culture-specific health education and behavioural change interventions are needed to address the identified gaps.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde
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Grupos Focais
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Estigma Social
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Hanseníase
Limite:
Adolescent
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Adult
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Aged
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle aged
País/Região como assunto:
Africa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Nigéria
País de publicação:
Reino Unido