The consequences of leprosy are often disability and impairments. The physical health ramifications, as well as the stigma attached to the disease, have implications for a person’s mental health. Depression, among other mental health issues, is frequent among persons with leprosy.
Our team in India have conducted a study which assessed the burden of depression among individuals who are suffering with the consequences of leprosy and its association with demographic and clinical factors.
The study was conducted in the Premananda Memorial Leprosy Hospital in Kolkata, West Bengal. During the period of study, 99 consecutive patients aged 18 years and above attending the outpatient clinic were assessed for depression using Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).
The burden of depression among these 99 leprosy patients attending Tertiary Care Hospital as screened with the PHQ9 was about 53.5 percent.
The Leprosy Mission Niger, in partnership with the University of Niamey, and the Ministry of Health want to address stigma amongst healthcare workers in Niger.
This mixed-methods study, funded by the Leprosy Research Initiative has two phases.
First, using the WHO stigma framework, it aims to identify the local and contextual reasons behind stigma directed at patients by Health Care Workers, and the resulting impact on people affected by leprosy.
A second phase of the study aims to develop and test the feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of a training programme to reduce stigmatising attitudes and behaviours among Health Care Workers. Results will provide a contextual, yet replicable model for a leprosy stigma-reduction programme.
© Tom Bradley
