Double jeopardy: women and leprosy in India
Vlassoff, C.; Khot, S.; Rao, S.
World Health Statistics Quarterly. Rapport Trimestriel de Statistiques Sanitaires Mondiales 49(2): 120-126
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0379-8070 PMID: 9050190 Document Number: 304376
As part of a larger study of gender differences in the stigmatization connected with leprosy in India as well as in its detection and treatment, this article presents data on the impact of leprosy on marriage and the family. A review of previous studies shows that women's immune responses to leprosy may be weakened by pregnancy, that congenital transmission is possible but rare, and that affected women may not receive counseling about risks of pregnancy or the side effects of the drugs they are given. The present study gathered data from 2495 inhabitants of Bihar and Maharashtra including 934 who were receiving treatment and living relatively normal lives (59% male), 300 members of their families, 1071 who had to leave home or a job (63% male), 100 who were rehabilitated (55% male), and 90 health workers treating the patients. Additional data were gathered from in-depth interviews and 25 case studies (13 males). The findings of this study, including the fact that the impact of leprosy was greater for women because they suffered more isolation and rejection than men, led to the following conclusions: 1) in order to improve early detection and treatment of women, they should be encouraged to seek treatment for any skin ailments; 2) leprosy workers should alleviate concerns about the efficacy of smaller pills and should counsel families about the importance of the medical regimen; 3) women should be counseled about the risks of pregnancy associated with leprosy and about the side effects of the drugs; 4) calendars and family members should be used to help patients follow their drug regimen; 5) leprosy workers should undergo gender sensitization, and more women should be recruited to examine women; and 6) the needs of children of leprosy patients should receive attention so they can have equal access to education, employment, and health care.