1Associate Professor, Dept. of Community Medicine, Hi-Tech Medical College, Rourkela, Orissa
2Prof. & Head, Dept. of Skin & VD, S. S. Hospital, IMS, BHU, Varanasi, U.P.
3Ex Prof. & Head, Dept. of PSM, IMS, BHU, Varanasi, U.P.
*Address for Communication: Dr. Sunil Kumar Associate Professor, Dept. of Community Medicine, Hi-Tech Medical College, Rourkela, Orissa. Pin-769004. Ph.-09439069604. E. mail: sunil_bhu15@rediffmail.com
Online published on 14 October, 2016.
To study the awareness about cause and curability of leprosy among leprosy patients.
251 study subjects were selected randomly attending the Skin & VD OPD of S. S. Hospital of IMS, BHU, Varanasi. Questions related to cause and curability were administered to leprosy patients aged 15 years or above by the interviewer himself.
Only 6.4% of patients identified the correct cause of leprosy. More than half of the patients (54.6%) identified that leprosy was a curable disease. Nearly one fourth of the patients had heard about MDT.
IEC activity should be strengthened with emphasizing message that leprosy is curable and MDT is the only effective treatment.
Leprosy, awareness, cause, curable, MDT
