Thursday, March 12, 2009

Social stigma, poverty and complications of leprosy

Leprosy Mailing List, February 28th, 2009

 

Ref.:    Social stigma, poverty and complications of leprosy

From:  Barminus A. G., Garkida, Adamawa State , Nigeria


 

 

Dear Sir,

 

As we all know, leprosy patients are highly stigmatised in our societies.  No matter how highly placed you are the moment you are diagnosed with leprosy you automatically loss your social status in most parts of the world.  This social stigma brings about low self esteem. 

 

If you are a trader no one buys from you any more.  Jobs are not available for you because you are known to have leprosy; indeed jobs are in fact lost in some circumstances.  This often pushes people affected by leprosy to work hard in the field so as to eke a living for themselves and family.  Stress sets in and, this may trigger reactional states.  The man or woman is too busy to go to the hospital early.  This leads to loss of sensation and because he is in the field he easily gets injured.  Again he fails to go to the hospital early perhaps because he cannot afford transportation.  The ulcer becomes complicated leading to mutilations which further worsen the stigma he already suffers from.  And so the cycle continue. (enclosed word document with cycle)

 

As part of our duty we should strive at making patients have confidence in themselves, stress the need for early reporting when signs of reactions are noticed and the necessity of rest in their lives.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Dr A. G. Barminus

State Dermatology Hospital

Garkida

P.O. Box 5478, Jimeta -Yola

Adamawa State

Nigeria

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