Based
on the result obtained in this study, the following recommendations were made:
on the result obtained in this study, the following recommendations were made:
i.
There should be awareness among health professionals involved in
providing leprosy care.
There should be awareness among health professionals involved in
providing leprosy care.
ii.
Diagnosing and managing leprosy through the public health system is
vital if we are to avoid continuing stigma and prejudice against individuals
rehabilitated from leprosy.
Diagnosing and managing leprosy through the public health system is
vital if we are to avoid continuing stigma and prejudice against individuals
rehabilitated from leprosy.
iii.
There should be adequate awareness about leprosy and decrease the false
beliefs that underlie its associated stigma.
There should be adequate awareness about leprosy and decrease the false
beliefs that underlie its associated stigma.
iv.
Teaching those with leprosy about their disease enables them to be
empowered with adequate confidence and knowledge to counteract opposition they
may face from others.
Teaching those with leprosy about their disease enables them to be
empowered with adequate confidence and knowledge to counteract opposition they
may face from others.
v.
Education should be tailored to suit the particular community, taking
into account local cultural and religious beliefs.
Education should be tailored to suit the particular community, taking
into account local cultural and religious beliefs.
vi.
Measures should be put in place to change the perceptions of leprosy is
by using the media. All components of the media should be targeted, including
radio, television soaps, music, jingles, billboards, buses and walls posters.
Instead of the previous negative portrayals of leprosy on television, it should
be portrayed in a positive light with people being happily cured.
Measures should be put in place to change the perceptions of leprosy is
by using the media. All components of the media should be targeted, including
radio, television soaps, music, jingles, billboards, buses and walls posters.
Instead of the previous negative portrayals of leprosy on television, it should
be portrayed in a positive light with people being happily cured.
vii.
Much has to be done to rehabilitate those affected by leprosy. To be
accepted in their community, the disabled must be trained to overcome their
disabilities and do every day things again. Programmes that teach new skills
and trades to people affected by leprosy can help this acceptance.
Much has to be done to rehabilitate those affected by leprosy. To be
accepted in their community, the disabled must be trained to overcome their
disabilities and do every day things again. Programmes that teach new skills
and trades to people affected by leprosy can help this acceptance.
viii.
Rehabilitation schemes should involve training and setting up small
businesses. It is important to rehabilitate those with leprosy alongside those
with disability from other diseases in order to help them reintegrate into
their original societies, rather than stay in the confines of a leprosy
community.
Rehabilitation schemes should involve training and setting up small
businesses. It is important to rehabilitate those with leprosy alongside those
with disability from other diseases in order to help them reintegrate into
their original societies, rather than stay in the confines of a leprosy
community.
