According
to Leprosy Mission International (2004). In a modern leprosy SET Control
Programme education is almost an important as the treatment, if not more
important. In SET programmes “S” stands for Survey, “E” for education and “T”
for treatment. There is now real hope that even if leprosy cannot be eradicated
at least, in the free-seeable future, it can be brought under control so that
it can no longer be a public health problem. World Health Organization (2004)
opined that even if all present patients were to be fully curved off the
disease, many already, through late detection and lack of health education have
suffered unnecessary nerve damage and consequent disability, deformity and
sometimes blindness. Even if these groups of people have been bacteriologically
cured, they still need physiotherapy, surgery rehabilitation.
to Leprosy Mission International (2004). In a modern leprosy SET Control
Programme education is almost an important as the treatment, if not more
important. In SET programmes “S” stands for Survey, “E” for education and “T”
for treatment. There is now real hope that even if leprosy cannot be eradicated
at least, in the free-seeable future, it can be brought under control so that
it can no longer be a public health problem. World Health Organization (2004)
opined that even if all present patients were to be fully curved off the
disease, many already, through late detection and lack of health education have
suffered unnecessary nerve damage and consequent disability, deformity and
sometimes blindness. Even if these groups of people have been bacteriologically
cured, they still need physiotherapy, surgery rehabilitation.
Keith
(2007) opined that leprosy is not only associated with bacilli but also
superstition, ignorance and stigma, and this is where health education is so
essential, that the time facts and be made known to patients and public in
general.
(2007) opined that leprosy is not only associated with bacilli but also
superstition, ignorance and stigma, and this is where health education is so
essential, that the time facts and be made known to patients and public in
general.
Spawner
(2004) viewed that particularly in religiously conservative countries, where
women are oppressed and often hidden away if found to have the disease, it may
not be brought under control, especially the female infections types.
(2004) viewed that particularly in religiously conservative countries, where
women are oppressed and often hidden away if found to have the disease, it may
not be brought under control, especially the female infections types.
The
International Benevolent Services (1992) outlined that the most commonly asked
questions re-leprosy are:
International Benevolent Services (1992) outlined that the most commonly asked
questions re-leprosy are:
v Why
do many patient try to conceal their disease even from intimate family members
are their doctors?
do many patient try to conceal their disease even from intimate family members
are their doctors?
v Why
do family members try to hide away their own kin who have leprosy?
do family members try to hide away their own kin who have leprosy?
v Why
do so many patients remain undetected and their disease untreated?
do so many patients remain undetected and their disease untreated?
v Why
do we find so many misconceptions and superstition concepts about leprosy?
do we find so many misconceptions and superstition concepts about leprosy?
v Why
is there such a high absentee rate of patients attending “leprosy” ant-clinic?
is there such a high absentee rate of patients attending “leprosy” ant-clinic?
Very
also further explained that the answer to these questions is the same and that
is lack of heath education.
also further explained that the answer to these questions is the same and that
is lack of heath education.
The
American Leprosy Mission (2004) outlined the roles of health education in
leprosy control, they include the following:
American Leprosy Mission (2004) outlined the roles of health education in
leprosy control, they include the following:
v Health
education reminds people in endemic areas to be
vigilant in looking for early signs.
education reminds people in endemic areas to be
vigilant in looking for early signs.
v Health
education informs the public that there are many other conditions that can be
mistaken for early signs and/or late signs of leprosy.
education informs the public that there are many other conditions that can be
mistaken for early signs and/or late signs of leprosy.
v It
also informs the parents to present their children for examination.
also informs the parents to present their children for examination.
v Health
educators teach the patients how to protect the numb areas by using
pot-holders, gloves, tools with sponge-padded handles etc when dealing with hot
or sharp objects.
educators teach the patients how to protect the numb areas by using
pot-holders, gloves, tools with sponge-padded handles etc when dealing with hot
or sharp objects.
v The
international federation of anti-leprosy association (ILEP 2002) opined that
health education is of prime importance in leprosy control.
international federation of anti-leprosy association (ILEP 2002) opined that
health education is of prime importance in leprosy control.
