Overcoming negative stigma towards leprosy patients
Background: Leprosy remains a public health problem, with various factors contributingo the transmission and progression of the disease. Stigma and discrimination towards leprosy patients have hindered the treatment and eradication of the disease. Purpose: To identify the related factors and strategies to overcome stigmas towards leprosy patients. Review: Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease that affects skin and nerve, and causes visible permanent impairment if the patients do not get adequate treatment. Therefore, visible clinicalnifestations and cultural beliefs have createdigma towards leprosy patients, which negatively impacts their quality of life and their awareness of seeking health care. These factors may lead to patients avoiding diagnosis and treatment, which in turn increases number of G2D cases and transmission rate. Cultural and religious beliefs, low education level, and minimal information about leprosy have been known to contribute to the stigma. Several strategies can be considered to use to overcome stigma and discrimination towards leprosy patients. Conclusions: nderstanding factors related to leprosy stigma and its effects on the progression of the disease will help determine the strategies to overcome stigma and discrimination.
Franco-Paredes C, Rodriguez-Morales AJ. Unsolved matters in leprosy: A descriptive review and call for further research. Ann Clin Microbiol Antimicrob. 2016;15(1):33.
WHO. Global leprosy (Hansen disease) update, 2019: time to step-up prevention initiatives. Wkly Epidemiol Rec. 2020;95(36):417-40.
Rahayu, NP. Kehidupan Sosial Mantan Penderita Kusta Di Dusun Sumber Glagah Desa Tanjungkenongo Kecamatan Pacet Kabupaten Mojokerto: Tinjauan Teori Interaksionisme Simbolik George Herbert Mead. Surabaya: UIN Sunan Ampel Surabaya.; 2016.
Adhikari B, Kaehler N, Raut S, Gyanwali K, Chapman RS. Stigma in leprosy: a qualitative study of leprosy affected patients at green pastures hospital, western region of Nepal. J Health Res. 2013:27(5):295-300.
Livanka A, Niardhy P, Sigit Prakoeswa FR, Dewi LM, Herawati E. The association of stigma with the incidence of depression in leprosy patients: a systematic review. J Kedokt Syiah Kuala. 2023;3(23):377-83.
Sinambela DWI, Lubis SR, Dalimunthe DA. Correlation between perceived stigma and quality of life of leprosy patients. Bali Med J. 2020:9(3):830-35.
van Brakel WH, Sihombing B, Djarir H, et al. Disability in people affected by leprosy: the role of impairment, activity, social participation, stigma and discrimination. Glob Health Action. 2012;5.
Dako-Gyeke M, Asampong E, Oduro R. Stigmatisation and discrimination: Experiences of people affected by leprosy in Southern Ghana. Lepr Rev. 2017;88(1):58-74.
Sardana K, Khurana A. Leprosy stigma & the relevance of emergent therapeutic options. Indian J Med Res. 2020:5(1):1–5.
Tarnoto KW, Sahar J. Strategi Mengurangi Stigma Penyakit Kusta di Komunitas. J Ilmu Kesehatan. 2020:9(1) :6-15.
Dijkstra JIR, Van Brakel WH, Van Elteren M. Gender and leprosy-related stigma in endemic areas: A systematic review. Lepr Re. 2017;88(3):419-40.
Sarkar R, Pradhan S. Leprosy and women. Int J Womens Dermatol. 2016;2(4):117-21.
Prakoeswa FRS, Maharani F, Fitriah M, et al. Comparison of IL-17 and FOXP3+ Levels in Maternal and Children Leprosy Patients in Endemic and Nonendemic Areas. Interdiscip Perspect Infect Dis. 2021:8879809.
Santos SD, Penna GO, Costa M da CN, Natividade MS, Teixeira MG. Leprosy in children and adolescents under 15 years old in an urban centre in Brazil. Mem Ins Oswaldo Cruz. 2016;111(6):359-64.
Van’T Noordende AT, Lisam S, Ruthindartri P, et al. Leprosy perceptions and knowledge in endemic districts in india and indonesia: Differences and commonalities. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2021;15(1):1-19.
Sulidah. Hubungan Pengetahuan Dan Sikap Masyarakat Terkait Kusta Terhadap Perlakuan Diskriminasi Pada Penderita Kusta. J Med Respati. 2016;XI(3):53-65.
Utami IT, Prakoeswa FRS, Lestari N, Ichsan B. Hubungan tingkat pengetahuan dengan stigma masyarakat terhadap infeksi HIV/AIDS di Indonesia: Literature Review. J Kedokt Syiah Kuala. 2023;23(1):99-107.
Dewi RK, Kusumaningrum TAI, Saputri MW, Febriyanti D, Pebrianti S. Faktor Personal dan Sikap Teman mengenai Tindakan Pencegahan Dampak Penularan HIV/AIDS dengan Stigma Mahasiswa Terhadap Orang dengan HIV/AIDS (ODHA). J Kesehatan. 2021;14(2):184-94.
- Copyright of the article is transferred to the journal, by the knowledge of the author, whilst the moral right of the publication belongs to the author.
- The legal formal aspect of journal publication accessibility refers to Creative Commons Atribusi-Non Commercial-Share alike (CC BY-NC-SA), (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
- The articles published in the journal are open access and can be used for non-commercial purposes. Other than the aims mentioned above, the editorial board is not responsible for copyright violation
The manuscript authentic and copyright statement submission can be downloaded ON THIS FORM.
