Disability in leprosy patients in Anambra state, Nigeria.

Abstract

Designed to describe the magnitude and pattern of physical deformities in leprosy patients in Anambra State, Nigeria. Registered patients in 4 leprosy clinics in Anambra State were studied using interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. Each patient had general physical examination including neurologic and ophthalmic assessment. Physical deformities and disability were recorded and graded according to WHO criteria. Out of the 47 patients studied, 16 (34%) had pauci-bacillary leprosy and 31 [66%] had multi-bacillary diseases. Forty-one patients (87.2%)had deformities involving the hand, foot, eyes and or face. Disabling hand and foot deformities were recorded in 39 [83.0%] patients each; 36 patients ( 76.6%) had bilateral foot lesions while 35 (74.5%)had deformities in both hands. Twenty-one patients (44.7%) had ocular disability; 13 patients [27.7%] had nasal collapse and one had facial paralysis. A large proportion of leprosy patients in Anambra State have various forms of disability. Since such disabilities worsen with long duration of the diseases, early treatment of Leprosy is required. Occupational rehabilitation and health education will greatly help leprosy patients with disabling lesions cope with their problems.

Journal of Biomedical Investigation Vol. 3 (1) 2005: pp. 38-40