The Psycho-Social Impact of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis 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 condition of many poor people around the world. The disease is disseminating in a highest prevalence rate and is affecting most people in different parts of Ethiopia, leaving a disfiguring scar on the patient’s body. However, there are no any studies that are conducted in this area to depict the major impact of the disease on the general wellbeing of the society. Hence, this study has explored the psycho-social impact of the disease on those infected people who are living at Ankober Woreda, 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 leishmaniasis has brought major psycho-social impact on those patients, family members as well as their close relatives. One of these is the psychological problem of the 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 problem that are 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
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Keywords
Ankober; Cutaneous Leishmaniasis; Disease; Impact; Kebele; Mehal-Wonz; Patient; Psycho-Social