Assessment of the Impacts of Stigma on Leprosy Affected People: The Case of Beneficiaries in Ethiopian Catholic Church Medihn Social Center, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Date
2013-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Stigma related to the chronic health conditions such as HIV/AIDS, leprosy, tuberculosis, mental
illness and epilepsy is a global phenomenon with a severe impact on individuals and their
fam ilies, as well as on the effectiveness of public health programs. This study focuses on stigma
related to one of these health conditions, i.e. leprosy. The study mainly explores the lived
experience of leprosy affected people, with special emphasis on the impacts that leprosy stigma
has on those people. The purpose of this study is to broaden our understanding of leprosy stigma,
its impacts and dynamics, its extent or severity in our country. The study was done in the
organization, Ethiopian Catholic Church Medihn Social Center. Qualitative data was gathered
using in-depth interview, focus group discussion and key informant interview. Published and
unpublished studies, electronic documents, and books have been broadly reviewed.
The finding of the study mainly indicates, even if there are some improvements on the awareness
of the community towards leprosy affected people, people living with leprosy are victims of
stigma throughout their life as well as in their current situation. Due to stigma, they are facing
various problems. Their social, economic as well as psychological well beings are strongly
affected. They do not have good relationship with their families, their neighbors, their friends.
Their economic status is strongly affected as well. They have restricted participation in different
community organizations. The study implies that these people need much attention from the
government and the community. Based on this, the research recommends the need for a broader
and multilevel intervention that will help to reduce leprosy stigma and its impacts which helps to
enhance the well-being of leprosy affected people.
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Impacts of Stigma on Leprosy Affected People