Health-related stigma related to leprosy: What can be learned from nurses in Ghana?

Abstract

The aim of the study was to describe nurses' experiences of how stigma affected the care and health of patients with leprosy. Health-related stigma exists worldwide and affects patients, relatives and caregivers. Mere word 'leprosy' is often met with disgust, shame and fear. Knowledge of health-related stigma is important for developing care in different parts of the world. The study has a qualitative, descriptive design. Seven semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with nurses working at a hospital specializing in leprosy care. The study was carried out in the central region of Ghana. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. The findings are presented as one theme, 'Increased knowledge and holistic interventions are important in care for patients with leprosy', and three sub-themes: 'knowledge and beliefs are intimately interlaced with leprosyrelated stigma', 'information is important but not enough to change behaviours and attitudes' and 'long-term interventions in a social context'. We conclude that caring for patients with leprosy involved long-term interventions, not at least in relation to education on a society level as well as concerning patients' abilities to learn a skill to make an income in order to be less dependent on healthcare facilities.

Leprosy stigma in the healthcare setting: The treatment-seeking journey of persons affected by Leprosy in Niger

“…Although little research has been published on discrimination in healthcare setting, much has been established regarding societal stigma based on misconceptions about Leprosy. (10,16) In particular, the physical manifestations of leprosy, such as skin lesions and impairments, evoked fear and/or revulsion among healthcare workers according to our findings, further exacerbating stigma. This fear led to avoidance of close contact with leprosy patients or neglect of their medical needs.…”

“…The few studies that describe stigmatization by healthcare providers highlight the need to better understand the phenomenon and to address the problem. (10)(11)(12) Mirroring their society, healthcare providers have been known to discriminate against patients with Leprosy or those living with the sequelae. A study in Ghana recognized that healthcare providers were afraid of Leprosy and therefore avoided patients who had the disease because of the visible sequelae.…”

Relationship between Knowledge and Stigma with Attitude Towards People with Leprosy in Professional Nursing Students

“…The results of this study indicate that the majority of respondents (259 respondents) have high knowledge and the majority of respondents (270 respondents) have a good attitude, which can be seen from the aspect of trust toward lepers. This is the same as research conducted by Britton 22 which states that nurses are equipped with knowledge while still in education and believe that a person will not easily contract leprosy if they have treated lepers well. 22 It is also corresponds with the theory that someone's knowledge will adopt a new behavior.…”

“…This is the same as research conducted by Britton 22 which states that nurses are equipped with knowledge while still in education and believe that a person will not easily contract leprosy if they have treated lepers well. 22 It is also corresponds with the theory that someone's knowledge will adopt a new behavior. 10 The results of the respondents' answers distribution analysis on to the knowledge variable showed that the mode of respondents with most number of correct answers was on the disability aspect of leprosy and the most number of answers was wrong on the aspect of leprosy transmission.…”

HIV Positif & Komunikasi: Cabaran Mengekalkan Pola Komunikasi Berkesan dalam Kalangan Penghidap Wanita

“…Selain pekerjaan, pola komunikasi informan ketika mendapat rawatan kesihatan juga terjejas. Hal ini berlaku kerana ada dalam kalangan kakitangan kesihatan yang memandang negatif (Bergman, Britton & Kneck, 2017), memberi layanan kasar, menggunakan perkataan sensitif, mendedahkan status HIV positif kepada pihak lain, menunjukkan sifat stigma serta diskriminasi kepada informan. Walaupun kakitangan kesihatan seperti jururawat dan doktor dilatih dengan etika kerja yang tinggi terutamanya untuk melayan pesakit, tidak dinafikan masih ada yang bekerja secara tidak profesional, terutamanya kakitangan muda/baru atau pelatih.…”