Leprosy among adolescents in Kolkata, India

Leprosy, manifesting during adolescence when significant physical and emotional changes are taking place, poses further stress and strain both on the individual and on the family. Based on hospital records, focus group discussions and in-depth interviews, data on 258 adolescent leprosy patients seen at a leprosy referral hospital in Kolkata, India, are presented. The male-female sex ratio was 1.93:1, 56.6% were multibacillary patients and 13.2% had grade 2 disability. At the time of final follow up, 10% of PB and 33% of MB patients had already discontinued treatment. The commonest complication was reaction (14.5%). Adolescents were still dependent on their parents for health matters. Data obtained from questionnaires confirmed the role of social stigma in hiding, delay in starting of MDT and defaulting. Frequent hospital admissions resulted in loss of jobs and disruption of studies and caused psychological disturbances. It is critical to identify and treat adolescent leprosy on a priority basis. Health education and counselling programmes must be more focused and acceptable. Further research is necessary.