People's perception of leprosy--a study in Delhi

Leprosy is considered to cause more social than medical problems. The present study focussed on this aspect in order to investigate the level of awareness among people--about their attitude towards the disease and the afflicted. The results are based on interviews with 104 persons in Delhi. The sample data revealed that the level of knowledge of leprosy was inadequate. The cause of the disease was known to 44.2% of those interviewed, while 31.7% were completely ignorant; 6.7% believed it to be the consequence of an individual's past misdeeds, and 1.9% believed it to have been caused by divine curse. 63.1% were aware that the disease is curable. 73.1% of the persons interviewed sympathised with leprosy-afflicted beggars. 61.5% favoured leprosy patients to stay with their families and within their communities. 67.3% felt that the cured could marry, while 25% felt that the leprosy-afflicted should stay in leprosy colonies away from the society. 54.8% were reluctant to employ the leprosy-afflicted as domestic help, and 31.7% were reluctant to establish matrimonial relationship with a family having a leprosy-afflicted person. The data call for intensification ofpublic awareness regarding the aetiology of leprosy. Positive and scientific information should be disseminated to minimize the social prejudices associated with the disease.