The History Of Leprosy Patients

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

In this study the registered Leprosy patients from Satara district were included to assess their satisfaction about services which are provided to them under NLEP. There were total 248 registered cases of Leprosy under NLEP services in Satara district on March 2007-08 and out of that 63 Leprosy patients were included in study because on March 2007-08 out of 71 PHCs and 6 ULCs, 58 PHCs and 5 ULCs had registered cases of leprosy and for study purpose one Leprosy patient was randomly selected from each PHC as well as ULC thus total 63 leprosy patients were included as sample size includes 58 leprosy cases from 58 PHCs and 5 leprosy cases from 5 ULCs which approximately comes up to 25 % of total registered leprosy cases in Satara district.

For the purpose of study, 63 registered leprosy patients were included from 58 PHCs and 5 ULCs in Satara district .The list of leprosy patient was obtained from selected PHC and ULC and randomly one patient was selected as study subject. If any PHC or ULC have only one case then that was directly included in study. The registered Leprosy patients were contacted at their home with the help of Leprosy technicians and Multi Purpose Workers and the aim of our study was explained to them and their relatives requested them to participate in study. After their participation the consent was obtained verbally from each respondent. The information was obtained from each respondent with the help of pre-tested and modified structured questionnaires and it includes the socio -demographic variables like age, sex, occupation, education, income, type of house, overcrowding and other variables related to their satisfaction like case detection, treatment, follow up, lepra reaction , rehabilitation and others variables.

There were 13 leprosy patient satisfaction specific questions and the patient satisfaction score was worked out with the help of leprosy expert, A.D.H.S. (Leprosy) Satara. The patient who was not satisfied or not get certain leprosy services was marked as 0 score for that service specific question. The leprosy patient who was satisfied with leprosy services was marked as score 1 while the patient who was very much satisfied with certain leprosy services was marked score 2. The present study showed minimum satisfaction score was 7 and maximum satisfaction was 17. The minimum score, maximum score, range, mean, standard deviation and mean plus minus 2 standard deviation was calculated.

-Socio demographic frequency percentage distribution of leprosy patients was done.

- Satisfaction variable wise frequency percentage distribution of leprosy patients was done .

- The satisfaction level wise frequency percentage distribution of leprosy patients was done .

A sample of 25 % of registered active cases of leprosy was selected to assess the patient satisfaction towards the functioning of NLEP in Satara district. Total 63 cases were included in this study. Out of 71 PHCs and 6 ULCs, 58 PHCs & 5 ULCs had active registered cases of leprosy and they were included in present study.

Results:

Table 1: Socio demographic distribution of registered Leprosy cases (N = 63)

Socio - demographic characteristic

Frequency(%)

Age (yrs.):

17-34

35-52

53-70

23(36.50)

29(46.03)

11(17.46)

Gender:

Male

Female

33(52.38)

30(47.61)

Education:

Illiterate

Primary school

Higher school

30(47.61)

22(34.92)

11(17.46)

Marital status:

Married

Unmarried

56(88.88)

7(11.11)

Housing condition:

Kaccha

Pakka

41(65.07)

22(34.92)

Type of family:

Joint

Nuclear

41(65.07)

22(34.92)

Overcrowding:

Present

Absent

48(76.19)

15(23.80)

Residence area:

Rural

Urban

58(92.06)

5(7.94)

Occupation:

Farmer

Daily wages labour

Housewife

16(25.39)

37(58.73)

10(15.87)

Type of leprosy:

Multi bacillary

Pauci bacillary

41(65.07)

22(34.92)

Socio economic class:

Class I

Class II

Class III

Class IV

Class V

0(0.00)

4(6.34)

15(23.80)

33(52.38)

11(17.46)

The min and max age of leprosy patient was 17 & 70 yrs with max 29 (46.03 %) patients were belonged to age group 35 to 52 yrs. Among the total leprosy cases, higher proportion 52.38 % (33) was seen in males and max cases 30 (47.61 %) were belonged to illiterate one. The higher percentage of leprosy cases, 88.88 % (56) were married, max 41 (65.07 %) cases were living in kaccka housing condition and higher proportion of cases, 76.19 % (48) were live in overcrowding housing condition. Max cases, 41 (65.07 %) were belongs to joint family type and higher proportion of cases,92.06 %(58) were residing in rural area. Max, 37 (58.73 %) cases were belonged to daily wages laborer and higher percentage of leprosy cases,52.38 %(33) were present in socio-economic class IV according to modified B.J.Prasad (2008) classification than that of other socio-economic class of respondents.

Among the total leprosy cases, proportion of MB and PB cases was 41 (65.07 %) & 32 (34.92 %) respectively (Table 1).

According to satisfaction level ( category ) leprosy patients were classified into three groups as poor satisfaction level ( 0-5 ) , fair satisfaction level ( 6-11 ) and good satisfaction level ( 12-17 ).

Table 2: Distribution of leprosy patients according to satisfactory category

Satisfaction Category

Freq. (%)

Poor : 0-5

0(0.00)

Fair : 6-11

7(11.11)

Good : 12-17

56(88.89)

Out of 63 leprosy patients, 56 (88.89 %) showed good level of satisfaction while 7(11.11%) were fairly satisfied about anti leprosy services provided under NLEP (Table 2).

In present study, total satisfaction score was 17. The maximum satisfaction score obtained was 17 while minimum 7. Satisfaction score ranged from 7 to 17 with Mean score 14.4, SD 1.80 and Mean ± 2 SD was 18.01 and 10.06.

Table 3: Satisfactory variable distribution of Leprosy patients

Satisfaction Variables

Satisfied under NLEP, Freq.(%)

Yes (%)

No (%)

Awareness of NLEP before disease

24(38.09)

39(61.90)

Detection by MPW

47(74.60)

16(25.39)

Diagnosis by doctor/MO

61(96.82)

2(3.17)

Early treatment started

60(95.23)

3(4.76)

Motivation by MPW

62(98.41)

1(1.58)

Regular drugs supply

62(98.41)

1(1.58)

Drugs - freely available

63(100.0)

0(0.000

Regular follow up

62(98.41)

1(1.58)

No drug complications

52(82.53)

11(17.46)

No treatment of drug complication

52(82.53)

11(17.46)

No deformity during treatment

63(0.00)

0(100.0)

Rehabilitative services received

9(14.28)

54(85.17)

Health education

63(100.0)

0(0.00)

The 24 (38.09 %) respondents were aware about NLEP launched by Government before they diagnosed as leprosy patient. All 63 patients were satisfied about getting drugs free of cost, health education delivered by MPWs and no deformity.98.41 % patients were satisfied about regularly of getting drugs, regular follow up by MPWs and regular motivation by them to adhere with treatment. Satisfaction about diagnosed of disease by doctors and getting drugs immediately by health care system was 96.82 % and 95.23 %. 82.53 % patients were satisfied that don’t developed any drug complications, however only 9 (14.28 %) were satisfied that they received rehabilitative services (Table 3).

Table 4: Demographic distribution of leprosy patients as per level of Satisfaction

Demographic characteristic

Poor satisfaction

Fair satisfaction

Good satisfaction

X2

Freq.(%)

Freq.(%)

Freq.(%)

Age (yrs.)

17-34

35-52

53-70

0(0.00)

0(0.00)

0(0.00)

1(4.35)

1(3.45)

5(45.45)

22(95.65)

28(96.55)

6(54.55)

9.32*

Gender

Male

Female

0(0.00)

0(0.00)

3(9.09)

4(13.33)

30(90.91)

26(86.67)

1.05

Education

Illiterate

Primary

High. Secondary

0(0.00)

0(0.00)

0(0.00)

4(13.33)

1(4.35)

2(18.18)

26(86.67)

22(95.65)

9(81.82)

1.79

Occupation

Farmer

Daily wedges laborer

Housewife

0(0.00)

0(0.00)

0(0.00)

1(6.25)

3(8.11)

3(30.00)

15(93.75)

34(91.89)

7(70.00)

2.83

Max leprosy patients, 22 ( 95.65 % ) , 28 ( 96.55 % ) and 6 ( 54.55 % ) from age groups 17-34yrs,35-52yrs and 53-70 yrs showd good level of satisfaction about leprosy services under NLEP in Satara district, similar good satisfactory level also shown by max male 30 (90.11 %) and female patients 26 ( 86.67 % ). Max, 26 (86.67 %) illiterate, 22 (95.65%) primary school completed and 9 (81.82 %) higher secondary school completed leprosy patients were showed good level satisfaction. Among farmer, daily wedges laborers and housewives as occupation, Maximum 15 ( 93.75 % ), 34 ( 91.89 % ) and 7 ( 70.00 % ) were shown good level satisfaction. The significant statistical association was existed between age of leprosy patient and level of satisfication ( p <0.05*). It indicates as age increases level of satisfaction also increases towards NLEP (Table 4).