The Experiences Of People Affected by Leprosy Who Participated in Self-Care Groups in The Community: A Gualitative Study

Abstract

Leprosy presents a high burden to the community and it is known as a triple burden disease. The case detection of people affected by leprosy is often too late and the characteristics of people affected by leprosy in the community are quite varied, as there are still problems of worsening skin lesions, disability, social stigma, missed reatment and inefficient health services that have not directly reached the daily needs of people affected by leprosy. Those affected by leprosy are generally coached in self-care groups (SCGs) in the community. chronic problems in leprosy require complex care of people affected by leprosy. A previous study reported that self-care activities are basically the need to care and to prevent progressive worsening of leprosy-related impairments. Therefore, the experience of those affected by leprosy in joining SCGs should be studied more deeply to know the benefits and the constraints faced by participants, because it will impact on the quality of life of people affected by leprosy in the community.