Role of target groups in integrated leprosy programmes.
The introduction of integrated leprosy services into the primary health care set-up has taken away active case-detection in the community and is replaced by passive reporting by the suspected, afflicted individuals. This can only be made operative effectively with intensive IEC activities in the community. A research study involving school-children (219,000) in leprosy work achieved spectacular success in new case-detection, effective monitoring, completion of MDT and coverage of a large number of individuals (750,000). The results evaluated on a representative sample of 20,000 school students (pre- and post-test), showed over 90% success in creating awareness about the cause of the disease, its symptoms, curability by fixed duration MDT and better attitudes and perceptions of the community towards leprosy-affected individuals. It is emphasised that, in view of the experience gained from the study, other more cohesive and disciplined target groups, such as scouts and guides, NCC cadets, NSS volunteers, should be identified for leprosy work throughout the country in a planned and coordinated manner in order to implement and sustain leprosy eradication activities in the near-elimination and post-elimination phases.
Misra
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Hind Kusht Nivaran Sangh (National Headquarters), 1 Red Cross Road, New Delhi 110 001.
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007918:Leprosy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D009166:Mycobacterium leprae; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods*