Related Experiment Videos
What does distance matter? Leprosy control in West Nepal.
1Department of General Practice, University of Liverpool, England.
Social Science & Medicine (1982)
|January 1, 1988
Summary
Distance from leprosy treatment centers may not deter patients; instead, it offers anonymity. Stigma influences travel distance, and poor care quality, not fear of local recognition, affects regular treatment attendance.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Social Science
Background:
- Leprosy control programs often integrate care into local primary health services, assuming distance deters treatment seeking.
- National Leprosy Control Programme in Nepal (established 1975) utilized basic health posts for leprosy care.
- Social stigma associated with leprosy is a significant factor in patient behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between distance to treatment centers and leprosy case attendance in Nepal.
- To explore factors influencing leprosy patients' travel distance for care.
- To assess the impact of local healthcare integration on regular treatment adherence.
Main Methods:
- A study was conducted in Lamjung district, West Nepal.
- Analysis of travel distance for leprosy cases seeking treatment.
- Examination of factors including ethnic group, stigma levels, gender, and proximity of care.
Main Results:
- Distance from treatment centers did not deter cases; it provided anonymity from social ostracism.
- Cases from high-stigma ethnic groups traveled farther for treatment.
- Women's restricted mobility was observed; local care availability did not improve regular attendance.
Conclusions:
- Leprosy control strategies need to reconsider the role of distance, acknowledging its potential benefit for anonymity.
- Addressing social stigma and improving the quality of care are crucial for enhancing regular treatment adherence.
- Gender-specific mobility constraints impact healthcare access for women in leprosy control programs.