Abstract:
Objectives: Social stigma surrounding leprosy patients
(LPs) in the community is still related to the adherence of
these patients to medication and to their internal motivation
for healing. Unfortunately, the leprosy case programme
has not been optimally established in public
health centres (PHCs). The aim of this study was to assess
the social stigma towards adherence to medication and
motivation for healing among LPs in PHCs in Indonesia.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from
March to May 2017 at PHCs in Jember, Indonesia. Data
were collected using a self-administered questionnaire,
and secondary data related to medical treatment was
assessed from PHCs’ medical records. The data were
analysed using a t-test and a Chi-square test, while linear
regression was used to evaluate factors that could influence
LPs’ adherence to medication and their motivation
for healing.
Results: Among the 35 LPs in this study, 25.7% and
74.3%, respectively, had paucibacillary and multibacillary
types of leprosy. The type of leprosy was associated with
the length of time patients were infected with the disease, their adherence to medication and their motivation for
healing. The factors that influenced adherence to medication
and motivation for healing were the time period
that the LP remained infected and the type of leprosy.
Conclusions: Infection period and type of leprosy were
associated with adherence to medication and motivation
for healing in the community. Efforts should be made to
find active cases of leprosy at PHCs. Activities at PHCs
should include self-care groups to improve LP adherence
to medication and their motivation for healing in the
community.
