ASSESMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE TOWARDS LEPROSY PATIENTS AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMOMG PATIENTS VISITING ST. PAUL’S HOSPITAL MILLINIUM MEDICAL COLLEGE OPD IN APIRIL 2018

Abstract

Abstract Background Leprosy (also known Hansen’s disease) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae which involves the skin and peripheral nerves. Leprosy remains poorly understood and often feared by the general public and even by some in the health care professions. Although the infection is highly responsive to treatment, disabilities of the eyes, hands, and feet due to neuropathy are often not reversible and may require lifelong care and rehabilitation. Therefore, early diagnosis and management are necessary to minimize the likelihood of these disabilities. Leprosy is an important global health concern; early diagnosis and a full course of treatment are critical for preventing lifelong neuropathy and disability (1). In Ethiopia Leprosy was identified as major health problem since 1950 and it is still endemic in Oromia, Amhara and Southern Ethiopia Objectives This study aimed to determine the level of knowledge about leprosy and attitude towards patients with leprosy among patients visiting St Paul’s hospital millennium medical college OPD in April, 2018. Methods A cross sectional study, was used. 234 individuals (aged 18 years and above) who visit the St Paul’s hospital millennium medical college OPD was included in the study. Data was assessed by using a pre validated interviewer administrated questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was used for elaborating patients’ demographic characteristics. The analyses was performed using SPSS 21 by doing chi-square tests and regression. Results About two third of the patients had poor knowledge and the remaining one third had good knowledge about leprosy. Majority of the respondents report multiple causes of the disease. Most knew that leprosy can be caused by bacteria and more than two third thought that leprosy is hereditary disease. Majority of the respondents knew that leprosy can lead to deformities/disfigurements. Regarding the transmission, most of the respondents report more than one way of transmission. More than two third knew that leprosy is transmitted by prolonged close contact with leprosy patients and half thought leprosy transmits by sexual contact with leprosy patients. Majority responded that leprosy can be treated by pharmaceutical drugs and most think leprosy can be cured. More than half had unfavorable attitude towards leprosy and about three fourth report that they would avoid leprosy patients in different activities. Regarding factors affecting knowledge about leprosy, educational status had significant statistical association with knowledge while age, occupational status and knowledge are significantly related with attitudes of the patients towards leprosy. Conclusion Most of the patients had poor knowledge about leprosy and about half had unfavorable attitude towards leprosy patients which showed need of further work on community awareness programs. Recommendation I recommend health education about leprosy to improve the community knowledge of leprosy and their attitude towards leprosy patients.