de Stigter D H, de Geus L, Heynders M L
NSL Eastern Leprosy Control Project, PO Box 134, Biratnagar, Nepal.
Lepr Rev. 2000 Dec;71(4):492-8. doi: 10.5935/0305-7518.20000051.
This study describes community behaviour towards persons affected by leprosy in the eastern Terai districts of Nepal. The results show that 95% of the persons affected by leprosy recognized by the community have visible signs such as wounds, swellings and deformed feet or hands. Persons affected by leprosy still experience negative behaviour. Motives for negative community behaviour are mostly found in the fact that people fear infection by germs, but fear of a curse from God is also mentioned. This study shows that negative community behaviour is still present in eastern Nepal. Leprosy is more than a disease; the disease can nowadays be medically cured, but the sickness of leprosy still remains. Leprosy control programmes should focus on prevention of impairments and disabilities, because it seems that a visible sign is an important trigger for negative community behaviour.
本研究描述了尼泊尔东部特莱地区社区对麻风病患者的行为。结果显示，社区认可的麻风病患者中有95%有可见症状，如伤口、肿胀以及手脚畸形。麻风病患者仍遭遇负面行为。社区负面行为的动机主要源于人们害怕细菌感染，但也提到了对上帝诅咒的恐惧。本研究表明，尼泊尔东部仍存在社区负面行为。麻风病不仅仅是一种疾病；如今这种疾病在医学上可以治愈，但麻风病带来的危害依然存在。麻风病防治项目应注重预防损伤和残疾，因为可见症状似乎是社区负面行为的一个重要诱因。
