Role of target groups in integrated leprosy programmes
Misra, R.S.
Indian Journal of Leprosy 78(3): 237-244
2006
ISSN/ISBN: 0254-9395 PMID: 17120507 Document Number: 395128
The introduction of integrated leprosy services into the primary health care set-up has taken away active case-detection in the community and is replaced by passive reporting by the suspected, afflicted individuals. This can only be made operative effectively with intensive IEC activities in the community. A research study involving school-children (219,000) in leprosy work achieved spectacular success in new case-detection, effective monitoring, completion of MDT and coverage of a large number of individuals (750,000). The results evaluated on a representative sample of 20,000 school students (pre- and post-test), showed over 90% success in creating awareness about the cause of the disease, its symptoms, curability by fixed duration MDT and better attitudes and perceptions of the community towards leprosy-affected individuals. It is emphasised that, in view of the experience gained from the study, other more cohesive and disciplined target groups, such as scouts and guides, NCC cadets, NSS volunteers, should be identified for leprosy work throughout the country in a planned and coordinated manner in order to implement and sustain leprosy eradication activities in the near-elimination and post-elimination phases.