Assessment of Disability Status of New leprosy patient diagnosed between 2000EFY to 2002EFY from record in Bisidimo Hospital, East Harage

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.