Health literacy among self-help leprosy group members reduces stereotype endorsement and stigma-related harm in rural Nepal.

There is increasing appreciation that group memberships can have both beneficial and damaging impacts on health. In collaboration with Nepal Leprosy Trust (NLT), this longitudinal study explores a group-based approach to stigma reduction among people affected by leprosy in rural Nepal (N = 71)-a hard to reach and underrepresented non-WEIRD population. Informed by the 'social cure' literature, and the progressive model of self-stigma, we use a longitudinal design. We found that a sense of belonging to a self-help group can facilitate education in terms of health literacy, and over time these two factors also have impacts on participants stigma. Specifically, self-help group belonging predicted improvements in health literacy, leading to reduced endorsement of negative stereotypes and thus less stigma-related harm among people affected by leprosy. The study offers promising evidence that group-based interventions, which support health education, can reduce the harmful impact of stigma in very challenging contexts.

Perfil de conhecimentos sobre Hanseníase entre moradores de uma estratégia Saúde da Família / Profile of knowledge about leprosy among residents of a Family Health Strategy

Este estudo objetiva identificar a percepção dos moradores de uma Estratégia de Saúde da Família sobre hanseníase.Trata-se de uma pesquisa descritiva, transversal e quantitativa. Sua amostra resultou da participação de 152 moradores atendidos em uma Unidade de Saúde localizada no norte de Minas Gerais, Sudeste do Brasil. Utilizou-se uma entrevista estruturada na qual foi aplicado um formulário próprio aos participantes do estudo. Dos 152 moradores entrevistados, a maior parcela apresentava idade entre 18-25 anos (26,3%), pardo (48%), com Ensino Fundamental (44%) e desempregado (43,4%).Cinquenta e oito por cento já ouviram falar sobre a doença; 50,6% informam-se através da televisão; 43,4% desconhecem as campanhas de promoção à saúde; 76% afirmam não saber como a hanseníase é transmitida, porém apenas 7,2% afirmam ser transmitida pelo ar; 79% desconhecem os programas governamentais de combate à hanseníase; e 51,9% relata corretamente os sintomas da doença. Portanto, conclui-se que os entrevistados pouco conhecem sobre a hanseníase de forma a prevenir a infecção pela mesma. Faz-se necessário o trabalho integrado das Unidades de Saúde em difundir o conhecimento à população e melhorar a qualidade devida da região.

This study aims to identify the perceptions on leprosy of residents from a Family Health Strategy. This is a descriptive,cross-sectional and quantitative study. The sampling process resulted from the participation of 152 residents attended at a Health Unit located in northern Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. We used a structured interview in which a form was applied to the study participants.Of the 152 residents interviewed, larger subsamples were aged 18-25 years (26.3%), brown (48%),with primary education (44%) and unemployed (43.4%).Fifty eight percent heard about the disease, 50.6% inform themselves through television, 43.4% are unaware about campaigns to promote health, 76% said they did not know how leprosy is transmitted, but only 7.2% said be transmitted through the air, 79% are unaware of government programs to combat leprosy, and 51.9% correctly report the symptoms of the disease. There fore, we concluded that the respondents had little knowledge about the disease in order to prevent infection. It is necessary to integrate the work of the Health Units in disseminating knowledge to the population and improve the quality of life of the region.