Why person affected by leprosy did not look after their plantar ulcer? Experience from Pakokku zone, Myanmar.
A cross-sectional study was carried out to identify methods of caring plantar ulcers in leprosy patients and the underlying causes of poor plantar ulcer care during January and February 2008. This was conducted in Pakokku zone as it was one of the "9 selected townships of the Disabilities survey, i.e., Basic Health Staff project 2003/4", which was funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency. After getting consent, all available leprosy cases, i.e., 101 cases with foot disability grade 2 were interviewed with the pre-tested questionnaire. Among 101 cases, 13 cases who took care of their ulcer poorly and 20 who did none of the recommended measures were recruited for in-depth interview (IDI). The subjects were largely old people, males and people with no marriage partner. The majority had earned money by doing sedentary job. Prolongation of ulcers was observed in 78 cases. Most had been suffering from ulcers for years. When asking face-to-face interview, all the recommended care measures were not reported. Among these recommended measures, a large number of respondents reported about soaking measure. However, these reported measures were contradicted to the preventive methods which they disclosed in IDI. Plantar ulcer care seemed to be an individualised practice. The individual ways of performing were related to their view of ulcer, the environment, and occupation, and custom, communication with family and health staff. The findings identified the actual practice of plantar ulcer care in study areas. It is suggested that the current performance of planar ulcer care is inadequate and more attention should be given to achieve the target set by the programme as a recommendation.
Win
Le Le
le L
Department of Medical Research, Lower Myanmar, Yangon, Myanmar. lelewin001@gmail.com
Shwe
San
S
Maw
Win
W
Ishida
Yutaka
Y
Myint
Kyaw
K
Mar
Kyi Kyi
KK
Min
Thandar
T
Oo
Phyo Min
PM
Khine
Aye Win
AW
D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D016523:Foot Ulcer / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007918:Leprosy / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D002052:Myanmar / Q000453:epidemiology; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires