Health Seeking Behaviour of Tribal Communities for Leprosy

Leprosy, a disease strongly associated with social stigma, and often devastating both mentally as well as physically, is highly prevalent in Orissa, one of the poorest states of India. Danida's support to the national Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) in this state intends among others to make the service delivery aspects people-friendly. To achieve this, and to enhance the utilisation of services by tribal patients living in remote parts of the districts, a study was undertaken in the three districts of Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, and Sundargarh. The aim of the study was to collect information on tribals' knowledge and perceptions regarding different aspects of skin symptoms. In addition, information was collected regarding different aspects of the health seeking behaviour of the same people. The information was obtained both from healthy tribal people as well as from people suffering (or those who had suffered) from leprosy.

The findings of the study have been published in "Perceptions and Practices: health Seeking Behaviour of Tribal Communities for leprosy, A study in Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj and Sundargarh districts".