Govindharaj Pitchaimani, Srinivasan Sampathkumar, Darlong Joydeepa
Department of Sociology, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India.
Department of Sociology and Population Studies, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
Int J Mycobacteriol. 2018 Jul-Sep;7(3):247-250. doi: 10.4103/ijmy.ijmy_66_18.
This study aimed to explore the disease severity perceived by people affected with leprosy reporting at leprosy referral center, Purulia, West Bengal, India.
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 358 persons affected by leprosy above the age of 18 and married who were reporting at tertiary leprosy referral hospital, Purulia, West Bengal, India. A semistructured questionnaire was prepared to collect the demographic profile, disease profile, and perceived severity of the disease.
Among the participants, 41% of them were female, 60% were aged between 18 and 45 years, 58% were literate, and 40% of the participants had physical disability. The participants had multiple feelings of fear, anxiety and sorrow when first diagnosed as leprosy affected. Majority (69%) of the participants had fear of the disease. A significant association was present among males and females feeling fear of leprosy and the female feared more than male.
The present study emphasizes the need for continuous counseling and health education for persons affected with leprosy to avoid or minimize the psychological problems. Periodical screening and counseling will improve their psychosocial well-being and quality of life.
本研究旨在探究印度西孟加拉邦普鲁利亚麻风病转诊中心报告的麻风病患者所感知的疾病严重程度。
对印度西孟加拉邦普鲁利亚三级麻风病转诊医院报告的358名18岁以上已婚麻风病患者进行了横断面研究。编制了一份半结构化问卷，以收集人口统计学资料、疾病情况以及对疾病严重程度的感知。
参与者中，41%为女性，60%年龄在18至45岁之间，58%识字，40%的参与者有身体残疾。参与者首次被诊断为麻风病患者时，有多种恐惧、焦虑和悲伤情绪。大多数（69%）参与者对该病感到恐惧。男性和女性对麻风病的恐惧之间存在显著关联，女性比男性更恐惧。
本研究强调需要对麻风病患者持续进行咨询和健康教育，以避免或尽量减少心理问题。定期筛查和咨询将改善他们的心理社会福祉和生活质量。
