Changes in Social Participation of Persons Affected by Leprosy, Before and After Multidrug Therapy, in an Endemic State in Eastern India

Senthilkumar Ramasamy , Pitchaimani Govindharaj , Archana Kumar , Karthikeyan Govindasamy , Annamma S John
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.5463/dcid.v30i2.791
Submitted: 2020-09-14 12:28:47
Published: 2019-10-04

Purpose: In general, multidrug therapy (MDT) completion rate and the change in disability levels before and after medical treatment are reported as outcomes in leprosy programmes. Changes in activity and social participation levels are rarely reported, possibly because the parameters are more difficult to measure. The study aimed to assess and evaluate the changes in social participation among leprosy-affected persons after completion of MDT.

Method: An observational study was conducted among 108 newly-diagnosed leprosy- affected clients, who were registered at the Leprosy Referral Hospital in Champa, Chhattisgarh. Their disability levels pre- and post- MDT were assessed using the WHO Disability Grading, and their social participation level was assessed using the Participation Scale.

Results: Of the 108 clients registered during the study period, 90 completed the full course of MDT and were included in the analysis. The majority of these 90 clients or 83% were multibacillary and 23% had Grade 2 disability at the time of diagnosis. At the end of MDT with steroids therapy for reaction and neuritis, the proportion of clients with no participation restriction increased from 76% to 93%. Clients with visible impairments had more restriction as compared to those with no deformity or no visible deformity, before and after MDT. Among those with visible impairments, 78% had mild to severe restriction before MDT and it declined to 26% on completion of treatment.

Conclusion: Presence of Grade 2 disability at the time of diagnosis was significantly associated with participation restriction. MDT and steroid therapy for management of reaction and/or neuritis improves the participation level of leprosy-affected clients, suggesting that early detection and appropriate management would reduce their risk of participation restriction.

Keywords

Leprosy disability participation restriction multidrug therapy

Authors

Senthilkumar Ramasamy

Formerly Physiotherapist, Bethasda Leprosy Mission Hospital, Champa, Chhattisgarh. The author has a Masters degree in Advanced Physiotherapy in Orthopaedics from The Tamilnadu Dr. MGR Medical University, Chennai and a Masters degree in social work from Alagappa Universtiy, Karraikudi. He is actively involved in social research in leprosy and research in physiotherapy.

 

 

Pitchaimani Govindharaj

Dr Pitchaimani has worked in the field of leprosy as a physiotherapist for seven years associated with The Leprosy Mission Trust India.  He has been involved in several research studies. He has an undergraduate degree in Physiotherapy, Master of Science in Medical Sociology and Ph.D in Sociology. At present, he works as a Lecturer in Sociology, Department of Allied Health Sciences, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (DU), Chennai. He is actively involved in social research in leprosy and research in physiotherapy.

 

 

Archana Kumar

The author did MS General Surgery and works as Deputy Superintendent at Bethasda Leprosy Mission Hospital, Champa, Chhattisgarh since last 17 years. She is specialized in leprosy diagnosis, treatment and reconstructive surgery.

 

 

Karthikeyan Govindasamy

Karthikeyan is a the Research coordinator in The Leprosy Mission Trust India. He has an undergraduate degree in Occupational Therapy and a Masters degree in Public Health. He is involved in planning and conducting operational research in the areas of leprosy and disability.

 

 

Annamma S John

Dr Annamma S. John has worked in the field of leprosy as a clinician for 30 years and has for many years been involved in research and training. She retired  as Head of the Research and Training in The Leprosy Mission Trust India. She has been involved in several multicentre, national and international as well as individual research projects. At present she works independently as a Consultant in Research, Training and Evaluation.

 

 

How to Cite

Senthilkumar Ramasamy, Pitchaimani Govindharaj, Archana Kumar, Karthikeyan Govindasamy, Annamma S John (2019-10-04). Changes in Social Participation of Persons Affected by Leprosy, Before and After Multidrug Therapy, in an Endemic State in Eastern India. Disability, CBR & Inclusive Development, Vol. 30 No. 2 (2019): Summer 2019, 54-64. https://doi.org/10.5463/dcid.v30i2.791

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