Women and leprosy: time-lag in seeking treatment

A total of fifty women leprosy patients were orally interviewed in 1992 in a study to determine the magnitude of the problem of delay in seeking treatment in leprosy. The study was carried out in Busia District. The possible socio-cultural risk factors for the delay were also determined. Questionnaires were used in the collection of data. Results obtained indicated a high illiteracy level (82%) and low socio-economic status. Majority of the women were married (64%), many had a family history of leprosy. Knowledge about causative agent for leprosy was poor although majority knew the disease was disabling. A high proportion had problems getting to health units while many held misconceptions about the place to seek medical treatment and the mode of treatment. Many also believed family and community members and some of the health staff held negative attitude about leprosy and, hence, the patients; 64% sort treatment long after disease onset (2-10 years and above). Thus, the problem of delay in seeking medical treatment among female leprosy patients is high and bears socio-economic and social-cultu ral connotations as well as lack of adequate knowledge on the disease.