title: Leprostigma in hanseniasis.
abstract: Ignorance, fear and superstition surround the problems of hanseniasis. In almost all cultures the predominant attitude is marked by emotion, disgust and rejection towards persons suffering from this disease. All efforts aimed at the control of hanseniasis are doomed to failure unless the significance of stigma and associated social and economic factors are given adequate consideration. A programme of destigmatization is outlined.
mesh_terms: D002835:Christianity; D006801:Humans; D007918:Leprosy / Q000523:psychology*; D009626:Terminology as Topic