The Psycho-Social Impact of Cutaneous Lei shmaniasi s on People Infected by the Disease
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Date
2012-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (which is locally known as Shahign) is one of the neglected tropical
diseases that hamper the health cond ition of man y poor people around the world. The disease is
dis seminating in a highest prevalence rate a nd is affecting most people in different parts of
Ethiopia, leaving a di sfigurin g scar on the patient's body. However, t here are no any studies that
are conducted in this area to depict the major impact of the disease on the general wellbein g of
the soc iety . Hence, this study has explored th e psycho-social imp act of the disease on those
infected people who are living at Ankober Wor eda, Mehal- Wonz Kebele . The major scheme of
the research is a qualitative method of exploratory purpose. Accordingly, ten participants from
cutaneous leishmaniasis patients and five additional key informants from non-infected
community members are selected using purposive sampling method . By doing this, qualitative
data is gathered through in-depth interviews and observation. The finding of the study has also
indicated that the disease of cutaneous leishmanias is has brought major psycho-social impact on
those patients, family members as well as their close relative s. One of these is the psychological
problem ofthe disease on the patients which includes the problem of extreme fear and anxiety,
poor self-disclosure, emotional sensitivity and disturbance, as well as disgrace and the feeling of
gloomy future. The other is the social prob lem that a re related to the views of the society such as
stigma and discrimination, limited social participation, rejection of social ties as well as low
quality of life.
Key Words: Ankober, Cutaneous Lei shmania sis, Di sease, Imp act, Kebe Ie, Meha l-Wonz , Patient , PsychoSocial.
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Keywords
Ankober, Cutaneous Lei shmania sis, Di sease, Impact, KebeIe, Meha l-Wonz, Patient, PsychoSocia