An investigation of attitudes, beliefs and behaviour
of leprosy patients, ...
Title:
An investigation of attitudes, beliefs and behaviour of
leprosy patients, family members and PHC workers towards
multidrug therapy in Yangzhou and Dongtai Districts of
China
Author:
Chen X, Ye G, Jiang C, Li W; Bian J, Wang H, Chen W
Address:
National Center for STD and Leprosy Control, Institute
of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 12
Jiangwangmiao Road, Nanjing 210042, P.R.China
Source:
Leprosy Review, 1997;68:155-161
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: To improve the operational
efficiency of multidrug therapy (MDT) implementation in
rural areas, an investigation into the attitudes, beliefs
and behaviour of leprosy patients and their family members
as well as primary health care (PHC) workers towards MDT
was carried out in Yangzhou and Dongtai Districts of China.
METHOD: A sample of 370 leprosy patients, 594
family members and 730 PHC workers was interviewed or
investigated individually using questionnaires. RESULTS:
The results showed that: 1, the presently used MDT is
acceptable to a wide range of patients although a small
number of patients have various problems in their treatment;
2, the patients' habit in daily drug administration, their
awareness of the risk of default and confidence in MDT
have a positive influence in increasing drug compliance;
and 3, the supervision and encouragement of family members
to patients' treatment which is associated with their
knowledge on MDT is also beneficial to patients' drug
compliance. However, only half of the PHC workers had
a basic knowledge of MDT and a desire to participate in
MDT implementation, a finding which clearly calls for
urgent attention and improvement. CONCLUSION:
In order to ensure the effective implementation of MDT,
there is a need to educate leprosy patients and their
family members as well as PHC workers to establish the
patients' correct awareness of MDT, obtain the family
support and motivate the PHC workers.
KEY WORDS: Leprosy; Multidrug therapy;
Attitudes and beliefs; China
Language: English
