World Health Organisation (WHO, 2009) defined leprosy
is a chronic infectious disease caused by mycobacterium leprae, an acid-fast, rod-shaped bacillus. The
disease mainly affects the skin, the peripheral nerves, mucosa of the upper
respiratory tract and also the eyes. Leprosy is curable and if early detection
and management is provided in the early stages averts disability.
is a chronic infectious disease caused by mycobacterium leprae, an acid-fast, rod-shaped bacillus. The
disease mainly affects the skin, the peripheral nerves, mucosa of the upper
respiratory tract and also the eyes. Leprosy is curable and if early detection
and management is provided in the early stages averts disability.
Nearly 16 million leprosy individuals have been cared
for over the past 20 years. Nigeria
achieved national elimination target at the end of 1998 and at the end of 2007
all except one state (Taraba) attained leprosy elimination target in Nigeria
(Federal Ministry of Health, 2008).
for over the past 20 years. Nigeria
achieved national elimination target at the end of 1998 and at the end of 2007
all except one state (Taraba) attained leprosy elimination target in Nigeria
(Federal Ministry of Health, 2008).
However, there is much more to a disease than
just its pathological processes. Leprosy is a complex condition that not only
affects individuals physically; it has social and psychological implications
that must be considered if cure is ever to be complete. WHO (1947) as cited by
Federal Ministry of Health (2008) is a state of complete physical, mental and
social well-being. Therefore, as efforts are been made to effectively eradicate
leprosy, there is need to pay special attention to the psychological and social
well-being of the individuals after rehabilitation.
just its pathological processes. Leprosy is a complex condition that not only
affects individuals physically; it has social and psychological implications
that must be considered if cure is ever to be complete. WHO (1947) as cited by
Federal Ministry of Health (2008) is a state of complete physical, mental and
social well-being. Therefore, as efforts are been made to effectively eradicate
leprosy, there is need to pay special attention to the psychological and social
well-being of the individuals after rehabilitation.
It is obvious that to deal with something as
indefinable as stigma and ostracism after rehabilitation are far less
comprehensible when compared with the cellular and biochemical processes
involved in the management of leprosy. But, as human beings, we need to
understand what leprosy means to the individuals and their communities. For a holistic
care, we must never forget the impact leprosy can have on an individual’s
psychological and social well-being.
indefinable as stigma and ostracism after rehabilitation are far less
comprehensible when compared with the cellular and biochemical processes
involved in the management of leprosy. But, as human beings, we need to
understand what leprosy means to the individuals and their communities. For a holistic
care, we must never forget the impact leprosy can have on an individual’s
psychological and social well-being.
More than any other disease (except perhaps
acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)), leprosy has a very negative image.
In literature, outcasts are regarded as lepers; leprosy and stigma have been
almost synonymous. For centuries leprosy has been a feared disease, the very mention
of the disease invokes shame and disgust. Stigma is hard to define and measure,
being a ‘complex reality made up as it is from a mixture of belief, attitudes
and behaviours’ (Akpan, 2007). For many individuals
after rehabilitation, however, it is the hardest part of the burden to bear.
acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)), leprosy has a very negative image.
In literature, outcasts are regarded as lepers; leprosy and stigma have been
almost synonymous. For centuries leprosy has been a feared disease, the very mention
of the disease invokes shame and disgust. Stigma is hard to define and measure,
being a ‘complex reality made up as it is from a mixture of belief, attitudes
and behaviours’ (Akpan, 2007). For many individuals
after rehabilitation, however, it is the hardest part of the burden to bear.