Stigma and Coping Patterns among Patients having Leprosy

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the stigma and coping patterns among patients having leprosy. Research design; a descriptive cross-sectional design was utilized. Setting; the study was conducted at the leprosy Colony Hospital in El-Khanka City. Subjects & methods; a random sample of 80 patients of both sexes, different age groups, Tools of data collection; interview questionnaire, medical history sheet, stigma scale and coping scale. Results; There was a highly positive correlation between leprosy patients’ age and coping scale pattern; there was a statistical significant relation between total score of stigma scale and socio-demographic characteristics of leprosy patients as regards the working conditions and the physical illnesses and the onset of illness. Conclusion; Leprosy patients were facing many types of stigma denoting that, the community still has a negative attitude towards them, which in turn the leprosy patients counter acting this attitude by avoiding communicating with people and they were preferring to live in a separate colony. Recommendations; designing and conducting a national-level mass campaign of health education for the general public and encouraging a better coordination between all healthcare partners to settle all the issues and to help in achieving the eradication goals of leprosy disease.