The effect of leprosy-induced deformity on the nutritional status of index cases and their household members in rural South India: a socio-economic perspective

Abstract

Objectives: To determine whether the socioeconomic and nutritional status of cured leprosy patients with residual deformity, and their household members, was lower than that of cured leprosy patients without deformity. Design: Cross-sectional study. Subjects: One hundred and ®fty-®ve index cases with deformity, 100 without deformity. Also 616 household members comprising 48% of the total members enumerated. Measurements: Nutritional status was evaluated using anthropometry. Disease characteristics, socio-economic parameters and household information were recorded using a questionnaire. Results: Index cases with deformity had lower community acceptance (P`0.001), and employment (P`0.001) than those cases without deformity. Households of index cases with deformity had a lower income (P`0.01) and a lower expenditure on food (P`0.05). The presence of deformity (odds ratio (OR): 2.1 ± 3.2, P`0.01), unemployment (OR: 2.3 ± 4.3, P`0.01) and female gender (OR: 2.4, P`0.01) signi®cantly increased the risk of index cases being undernourished, as judged by body mass index (BMI) alone, or BMI and mid-upper arm circumference. A low BMI (`18.5) in the index case signi®cantly increased the odds of other adults (OR 2.2), adolescents (OR 2.9 ± 3.8) and children (OR 2.2) in the household being undernourished. Conclusions: Cured leprosy index cases with physical deformity are more undernourished than index cases without deformity. This is associated with a reduced expenditure on food, possibly brought on by increased unemployment, and a loss of income. Undernutrition in the index case increases the risk of undernutrition in other members of the family.

Reactional state and nutritional profile among leprosy patients in the primary health care system, Greater Vitória, Espírito Santo State, Brazil

“…The authors of one study in India in 2000 14 conclude that the food insecurity and low socioeconomic status that favor malnutrition are associated with the appearance of the physical disabilities of the disease and with the nutritional status of the family members. One study of the stigma caused by leprosy observes that loss of employment and declining standard of living affect overall health and quality of life 15 .…”

Body fat percentage and body mass index in a probability sample of an adult urban population in Brazil

“…O comprometimento sensitivo é mais comum em trabalhadores braçais 15 . As pessoas acometidas pela hanseníase podem sofrer prejuízo na sua capacidade de trabalho por ocasião das deformidades e, consequentemente, no autossustento e da família, gerando repercussões de ordem psicológica, social e física 16,17 .…”

Clinical-Epidemiological Profile Of Patients Living With Leprosy

“…In a survey of 69 leprosy patients in Ceará, Brazil, 79.8% had some occupation [15]. On the other hand, the study reports on the negative impact of leprosy in terms of the socio-economic aspects of people affected by this disease, who most often are laid off and/ or retired [16]. It can thus be inferred that because of easy access to treatment and multiprofessional work, many patients remain working using their labouring and everyday skills.…”