DISCRIMINATION FACED BY LEPROSY AFFECTED PERSONS

The purpose of this study was to explore the proportion of disability grading perceived stigma and discrimination of leprosy affected persons in central special skin clinic and consequences of discrimination. This study was sequential mixed-method study. For quantitative approach 164 patients were interviewed by face to face and in-depth interviews were performed to 12 patients for qualitative method. The study was conducted from May 2019 to August 2019. In this study respondents were between 31 to 45 years of age and most were male respondents. Most of the respondents were low income group and one third of the respondents were high level education. By quantitative method 88.4 percent of respondents were multibacillary cases. All of the respondents agreed that the awareness about disease health information and rehabilitation can be an effective measure to reduce stigma and discrimination. The findings of this study can provide more information about discrimination of LAPs to the national leprosy control program. Self-awareness about leprosy still needs to enforce for prevention of leprosy related disabilities.