Socio-medical background of leprosy in the Northern India

A survey was conducted by direct interview of patients visiting the Leprosy Patients Welfare Society Old Mahapalika Building in Agra city, U. P. State, India, from the end of July to mid-August, in both 1984 and 1985, for a total of 6 weeks.The purpose of the survey was to observe and analyze the extent to which difference in religion, education, and location of residence influenced individual attitudes toward leprosy.Interviewed were a total of 705 people. The male-to-female ratio was 4:1, with both males and females being predominantly of productive age. The Hindu-to-Muslim ratio was 3.1:1.Among those interviewed, 77.0%; were residents of rural areas. The illiteracy rate was 71.6%; this ratio was especially high in those from rural areas. The ratio of those with higher education was greater in those from urban areas.About half the subjects believed the cause of leprosy to be uncleanness of the blood; this was especially so among young children of elementary school. The next most common belief was that curse was the cause, followed by fate. Fate was high in propotion of believers among junior high and high school students. There were few multiple responses among children below elementary school age and among college students, but a high number of multiple responses among the lower elementary school and high school groups, suggesting that the latter group was greatly influenced by various attitudes as to the cause of leprosy.Among Hindus, uncleanness of the blood was rated the highest, followed by fate and then curse, all of there showing a high rate in urban areas.Among Muslims, curse was rated the highest, and the rate was higher than that for Hindus. Next rated was uncleanness of the blood, then fate; the latter two, however, rated were significantly lower than in Hindu group.Both Hinduism and Muslim strongly influence lifestyles and consciousness from birth to death, and beliefe in the after-life.Especially in the field of public education concerning leprosy, general, health and hygiene education are the basis of all hygienic activities, however, adequate consideration must also be given to such factors in leprosy as traditional customs and prejudices.