John A S, Rao P S S S
TLM Hospital, Kolkata, India.
Indian J Lepr. 2009 Jul-Sep;81(3):135-40.
Urban slums have proliferated in India with poor health and socio-economic status with no organized health system. They are at high risk for contracting communicable diseases including leprosy. In order to obtain reliable data on knowledge, attitudes and treatment of leprosy; a random sample cluster survey was done in Kolkata slums. House to house screening for leprosy was done in 6 representative random samples of slums, each with a population of at least 5000, using accepted methods for detection. Suspects were confirmed by medical officers. Intensive interviews were done by qualified male and female investigators. A majority had some knowledge of leprosy but hardly any knew early signs or symptoms or where to get proper diagnosis and treatment. Half the respondents felt leprosy must be treated separately from general patients but stated they had no hesitation in working with or visiting a leprosy patient. There were 11 suspects of which 9 were confirmed for leprosy and sent to nearest centre for MDT. Glaring gaps are noticed between knowledge and practice of slum population regarding leprosy. An integrated health program is needed urgently in urban slums to control leprosy and other diseases using a variety of resources including medical colleges.
在印度，城市贫民窟大量涌现，居民健康状况差，社会经济地位低，且缺乏有组织的卫生系统。他们感染包括麻风病在内的传染病的风险很高。为了获取有关麻风病知识、态度和治疗的可靠数据，在加尔各答贫民窟进行了一项随机抽样整群调查。采用公认的检测方法，对6个具有代表性的随机抽样贫民窟进行逐户麻风病筛查，每个贫民窟人口至少5000人。疑似病例由医务人员确诊。由合格的男女调查员进行深入访谈。大多数人对麻风病有一定了解，但几乎没人知道早期症状或体征，也不知道在哪里能得到正确的诊断和治疗。一半的受访者认为麻风病患者必须与普通患者分开治疗，但表示他们在与麻风病患者共事或探访时毫不犹豫。共有11名疑似病例，其中9例确诊为麻风病，并被送往最近的多药联合治疗中心。贫民窟居民在麻风病知识和实践方面存在明显差距。城市贫民窟迫切需要一个综合卫生项目，利用包括医学院在内的各种资源来控制麻风病和其他疾病。
