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1. Caregivers’ views on stigmatization and discrimination of people affected by leprosy in Ghana.

Author

Asampong, Emmanuel, Dako–Gyeke, Mavis, and Oduro, Razak

Subjects
COMMUNICABLE diseases, MYCOBACTERIAL diseases, HANSEN'S disease, CAREGIVERS, SOCIAL sciences
Abstract

Background: Leprosy is a condition that has long been associated with stigma and discrimination, even when infected persons have been cured. This paper describes stigma and discrimination as viewed by caregivers who are associated with people affected by leprosy in Ghana. Methods: A qualitative interview with semi-structured interviews were conducted for twenty caregivers. Results: Findings indicated that caregivers were of the view that people affected by leprosy in Ghana are stigmatized and discriminated against by the larger society thus making their movements and interactions restricted to the Leprosarium. Besides, employments opportunities are unavailable to them thus making them exposed to financial challenges. The livelihood Empowerment Against poverty (LEAP) money given them is not sufficient for their daily upkeep. Conclusion: People affected by leprosy in Ghana are stigmatized and therefore find it difficult to interact freely with the public. The associated physical deformities with the disease also tend to impede their ability to relate to the general public. The LEAP cash given to people affected by leprosy is helpful however, it could be enhanced to keep pace with prevailing economic conditions in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2018
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2. Caregivers' views on stigmatization and discrimination of people affected by leprosy in Ghana

Author

Emmanuel Asampong, Mavis Dako-Gyeke, and Razak Oduro

Subjects
Bacterial Diseases, Male, Gerontology, Social stigma, Economics, Social Stigma, Social Sciences, Disease, Ghana, Geographical Locations, Discrimination, Psychological, 0302 clinical medicine, Sociology, Medicine and Health Sciences, Psychology, Public and Occupational Health, 030212 general & internal medicine, Empowerment, Language, media_common, lcsh:Public aspects of medicine, Social Discrimination, Middle Aged, Livelihood, Socioeconomic Aspects of Health, Infectious Diseases, Caregivers, Female, Leprosy, Research Article, Neglected Tropical Diseases, Employment, Adult, lcsh:Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine, Adolescent, lcsh:RC955-962, media_common.quotation_subject, 030231 tropical medicine, Stigma (botany), Interviews as Topic, Young Adult, 03 medical and health sciences, medicine, Humans, Aged, Pace, Behavior, Poverty, Cognitive Psychology, Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health, Biology and Life Sciences, lcsh:RA1-1270, Tropical Diseases, medicine.disease, Health Care, Labor Economics, People and Places, Africa, Cognitive Science, Finance, Neuroscience
Abstract

Background Leprosy is a condition that has long been associated with stigma and discrimination, even when infected persons have been cured. This paper describes stigma and discrimination as viewed by caregivers who are associated with people affected by leprosy in Ghana. Methods A qualitative interview with semi-structured interviews were conducted for twenty caregivers. Results Findings indicated that caregivers were of the view that people affected by leprosy in Ghana are stigmatized and discriminated against by the larger society thus making their movements and interactions restricted to the Leprosarium. Besides, employments opportunities are unavailable to them thus making them exposed to financial challenges. The livelihood Empowerment Against poverty (LEAP) money given them is not sufficient for their daily upkeep. Conclusion People affected by leprosy in Ghana are stigmatized and therefore find it difficult to interact freely with the public. The associated physical deformities with the disease also tend to impede their ability to relate to the general public. The LEAP cash given to people affected by leprosy is helpful however, it could be enhanced to keep pace with prevailing economic conditions in the country., Author summary In Ghana, the social interpretation of leprosy regardless of the language, culture and tradition engenders stigmatization and discrimination that leads to social rejection and exclusion of persons who have been cured of the disease. Often, these persons are cared for by relatives who happen to live with them in a confined place. From the views of these caregivers, this paper identifies areas of stigmatizing and discriminatory tendencies against people affected by leprosy who reside in a Leprosarium in Accra, the capital city. It is expected that persons suffering from such neglected tropical disease would be empowered to enable them go about their daily routines without the fear of being rejected. Besides, the intensification of public education about curing tendencies of stigma becomes paramount.

Published
2018