Abstract:
Back ground: While the National strategy on leprosy to date has focused on disease elimination,
disability is the main concern of people affected by leprosy. There remain important challenges
to fighting and controlling disability in new leprosy cases of Bisidimo Hospital and there
continues to be a number of people with leprosy related disability who are in need of disability
prevention services and rehabilitation. Absence of reliable data and lack of continuous research
have added to the problem.
Objective of this study was to assess the disability status of new leprosy patient diagnosed
between 2000EFY to 2002EFY from record in Bisidimo Hospital, East Harage.
Methods: Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used. For quantitative method
individual registered cases of leprosy from records within the last three years period (2000-2002
EFY) were taken. Data were collected on their disability status, socio demographic and clinical
factors using a leprosy record. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was employed to assess the
associations between the independent and outcome variables. The study was supplemented
qualitative part, in-depth interviews conducted to understand the possible factors contributing to
grade two disabilities.
Result: Leprosy induced disabilities are very common in the study population 18.3 % of new
patients presented with grade 2 disability. The bivariate and multivariate analysis revealed that
age group, residence of patient and the presence of leprosy reaction were significantly associated
with grade II disability among leprosy cases. The qualitative study revealed finding, almost all
the disabled patients have lower knowledge and are poor.
Conclusion and Recommendation: from this study, the proportion of grade II disability was
18.3%, relatively higher than the national target of 5%. None of cases understand the importance
of daily self care so that damage is not minimized. Such magnitude of grade II disability
highlights the need for continued surveillance for early case detection and awareness raising
activities on leprosy needed. So that cases of leprosy can be detected before people suffer the
long-term consequences of disabilities. More easily accessible Prevention of disabilities services
must be set up such services can give health education, advocate for these disabled in leprosy
and improve their social and economic status of the poorer leprosy disabled people.
