Prevalence, Management And Percieved Psychological Impacts Of Leprosy Diesease In National Tuberculosis And Leprosy Training Centre, Saye Village, Zaria (2005 – 2010)

Abstract

Leprosy is a Medico- Social problem with a declining in its medical form due to the presence of effective treatment (MDT) but its social aspect in term of stigmatization disability, deformities, loss of self – respect and loss of self-esteem and ostracizing of affected ones and misconception of the disease by the community have been well identified as a major threat, therefore, making patients more vulnerable to destitution and social isolation. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence, management of leprosy disease and psychosocial impact of the disease among residents of leprosy training centre, Saye, Zaria, Kaduna state between January, 2005 and December, 2010. The study revealed that social isolation (94%), anxiety, 90.9% shame 84.4%, depression 81.8% emotional disturbances 71.4%, the least experienced psychological impacts were loss of selffesteem and disfigurement. It was concluded that health education and information should be paramount when caring for the patients with leprosy because of the psychological impact experienced by patient