Virtual network: to analyze the knowledge about leprosy of MORHAN volunteers

O objetivo do estudo foi revelar o conhecimento sobre hanseníase dos voluntários participantes da Rede virtual de Mobilização (REMOB) do Movimento de Reintegração das pessoas Atingidas pela Hanseníase (MORHAN) em relação a aspectos gerais, diagnóstico, transmissão e tratamento. Os voluntários da REMOB foram convidados a responder um formulário on line contendo 35 afirmativas sobre hanseníase e perguntas específicas sobre o voluntariado. Participaram do estudo 105 voluntários, representando 20 estados brasileiros, a média de idade foi de 38,9 (dp14,14), 72,4% eram atuantes na área da saúde, 73,3% tinham nível superior e/ou pós-graduação, para 63,8% as atividades voluntárias não iniciaram por conhecer alguém com a doença. O percentual médio de acertos sobre diagnóstico foi de 84,2%, aspectos gerais 83,2%, transmissão 71,6% e tratamento 61,9%. O conhecimento sobre hanseníase foi maior nas questões referentes ao diagnóstico e menor sobre tratamento que embora sejam bastante específicas, devem ser alvo de investimento para capacitação permanente.

The objective of this study was to investigate knowledge about leprosy of volunteers participating in the Virtual Mobilization Network (REMOB) for the Reintegration Movement of People Affected by Leprosy (MORHAN) in relation to general aspects, diagnosis, transmission and treatment of the disease. REMOB volunteers were asked to answer an online questionnaire containing 35 questions about leprosy and specific questions about volunteering. The study included 105 volunteers in 20 Brazilian states with a mean age of 38.9 (sd=14.14) years. A total of 72.4% were healthcare professionals, 73.3% had college diplomas or were postgraduates, and for 63.8% volunteering did not begin because they knew someone with the disease. Respondents correctly answered, on average, 84.2% of the questions about diagnosis, 83.2% about general aspects, 71.6% about transmission and 61.9% on treatment. The knowledge of leprosy was better in respect to the diagnosis and worse in relation to treatment and should be the target for investment in ongoing training.

Analysis of newly detected leprosy in Sohag Governorate, Upper Egypt, 2004-2008.

INTRODUCTION: Leprosy is a chronic and complex infectious illness; the new-case detection rate is better than prevalence as an indicator of disease trends. This study presents an analysis of pattern of new cases of leprosy detected annually from 2004 to 2008 in Sohag Governorate, Upper Egypt. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data about patients with newly diagnosed leprosy were collected from Sohag leprosy hospital, the main referral centre in the governorate. Case detection rates (CDR) were calculated for each year by dividing the newly diagnosed cases by mid-year populations for the same year. RESULTS: 587 patients were newly diagnosed between 2004 and 2008. The mean age of patients at diagnosis was 34 years, 62% were males, and 11% were children below 15 years of age. The overall leprosy case detection rate was 3-1/100,000 population and it decreased from 3.4/100,000 population in 2004 to 2.8/100,000 population in 2008. Ninety three percent were classified as multibacillary, and 20.4% had Grade 2 disability at diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Leprosy remains a health problem in Sohag Governorate. It is possible that new cases are being detected late owing to inadequate community awareness of the disease. Leprosy control activities should be provided in primary health care units in order to detect new cases, and continued surveillance is required to detect relapses and to ensure good patient compliance with treatment.

Leprosy and disability control in the Guéra prefecture of Chad, Africa: do women have access to leprosy control services?

In a retrospective study, data from the Guéra Leprosy and Disability Control Project in Chad, covering the years from 1992 to 1996, were analysed in order to determine whether there was any indication that the quality of care provided to female leprosy sufferers is inferior to the care provided for male patients. Data from a total of 741 patient registered for MDT, of whom 351 were newly diagnosed cases, are presented and discussed. The data indicate that women have access to diagnosis and treatment and health education. They do not present for treatment later than men, disability rates are lower and they have slightly higher treatment completion rates. Both women and men benefit from footwear and loan programs. More women than men are involved in patient self-help groups. The study shows that in this part of central Chad, there is no evidence of disadvantage for women with leprosy in either diagnosis, treatment or follow-up, but more qualitative data is needed to confirm these findings.

Public communication campaigns in the destigmatization of leprosy; a comparative analysis of diffusion and participatory approaches. A case study in Gwalior, India

This was an experimental study designed to determine the relative effectiveness of diffusion and participatory strategies (in health campaigns) and the effect of caste on the dependent variables of knowledge, perception of risk, and behavioral involvement that were conceptualized as contributing to leprosy destigmatization in Madhya Pradesh state, India. The multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) procedure found significant difference between the communication treatments on the dependent variables. The discriminate analysis procedure was used to locate the source of the difference. Yhis procedure identified two significant discriminant functions; cognitive-affective and behavior-affective dimensions. The participatory treatment showed higher knoeledge and lower perception of risk on the cognitive-affective dimension, and higher behavioral involvement on the behavior-affective dimension, but the diffusion treatment showed only lower self-perception of risk on the behavior-affective dimension. The study concluded that participatory strategies promoting dialogue and interaction and incorporating people's knowlwdge and action component result in increased knowledge, lower percption of risk, higher bahavioral involvement, and, hence, destigmatization.