[Summary of questionnaires on leprosy in Yokohama City area and university hospitals].

We sent a questionnaire to members of Yokohama Medical Association and Departments of University Hospital to get an overview of leprosy patients in the clinic. Yokohama Medical Association: The rate of collection was approximately 47%. Few doctors have taken medical care of Leprosy patients. Half of the doctors will take medical care, but they have little information about Leprosy. Aged doctors do not take medical care compared with young doctors. Departments of University Hospital: The rate of collection was approximately 74%. Doctors in the University Hospitals do not hesitate to take medical care of leprosy patients. Dermatologists actively take medical care and have a chance of getting information about leprosy. It is necessary to give doctors information about leprosy and its history of stigma.

Psycho-social and environmental factors in triad model for the management of control programme: focus on leprosy.

The study addresses the question of how the qualitative aspect of the interaction between the people involved in the leprosy control programme affects the process of patients (P), service providers (SP) and satellite informants (SI) composed of community leaders, in the delivery of basic leprosy control services in two high leprosy endemic villages in La Union province, the Philippines. The interaction between P, SP and SI as an independent variable is imagined to be linked in a form of a triad, influenced by psycho-social and environmental variables. Data was gathered by conventional methods as interviews, historical research and use of rating scales as well as non-conventional methods as PUP, a locally developed standardized instrument which measures variables that determine a Filipino's adjustment to social situations, and photographic documentation. Statistical analysis was made on the independent variable and the dependent variable - an improved Leprosy Control Programme. It was observed that the stigmatization of Hansenites had deep historical roots with the policy of colonial administrations to isolate and segregate Hansenites. This stigma remains to the present and was observed to exist even among service providers: Low knowledge levels of patients on the causes of the disease on the one hand, and service providers on the cure, particularly on the use of Multiple Drug Therapy. The reorganization scheme of the Health Ministry also resulted in the slow down of leprosy control activities thereby affecting delivery of services. Individual personality traits and other psycho-social factors of P, SP and SI further contributed to the lag in service delivery.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A study of knowledge, attitude and practice of leprosy among doctors of Bhopal, India.

A study of knowledge, attitude and practice of leprosy among doctors of Bhopal has found that junior doctors had more exposure to leprology compared to all other groups. Medical college doctors had better knowledge of leprology compared to non-medical college doctors. Knowledge and attitude about leprosy among doctors were influenced by qualification, age, cultural and environmental factors. A strong association was observed between knowledge and attitude about leprosy of doctors and their practice of treating leprosy cases.

Attitude of doctors to working in leprosy.

A study was conducted to assess the attitude of Doctors to working in leprosy. 35 subjects were studied using a questionnaire to tap the various areas of leprosy work. The results indicated that although a majority of the doctors were interested in the specialty and considered that they had been trained well there was evidence of inadequate knowledge in 33% of them. Fears of being socially stigmatised and facing poor job prospects while working in this field were also revealed. It is suggested that training in the under-graduate and, post-graduate levels and improving job prospects would remove the disincentives which hamper anti-leprosy work.