title: Utilization of medical agencies and treatment compliance by urban (Madras) leprosy patients.
abstract: The utilization of medical agencies and treatment compliance by 3880 leprosy patients registered with Govt. Leprosy Control Unit, Saidapet, Madras were studied. It was observed that 39% patients waited for 1.32 (+/- 1.75) years before medical consultation, for their negligence and unawareness of disease. About 16% and 4% patients consulted Gen. Hospitals and Private Practitioners, respectively. The leprosy clinics were most popular, 35% patients changed medical agencies. On an average, one patient had consulted 1.47 (+/- 0.51) medical agencies and 1.23 (+/- 0.52) leprosy clinics, for treatment of leprosy. Only 45% patient attended clinic regularly, others attended irregularly (22.5%) or discontinued (32.4%). The unsuitable clinic timing (morning) was an important factor for defaulting the clinics. Of the 2625 (67.66%) patients who attended last clinic, one patient had missed an average of 5.5 (+/- 8.3) DDS tablets in a month. The implications of findings and suggestions to improve the service utilization with good compliance by patients, are discussed in this communication.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003622:Dapsone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007918:Leprosy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010349:Patient Compliance; D013997:Time Factors; D014505:Urban Population
chemical_list: D003622:Dapsone