title: A study on knowledge, beliefs and attitude towards leprosy in students of Jaipur, Rajasthan.
abstract: The objective of this study was to determine the knowledge, beliefs and attitudes regarding leprosy in school students of Jaipur district. A cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2010 to February 2011 on 1199 students (rural and urban) studying in class 10th and above. The findings of this study showed fair knowledge in students about cause, signs and symptoms of leprosy but less knowledge about prevention and treatment of the disease. Myths and beliefs were more prevalent in rural students as compared to urban ones. Both the groups showed positive attitude toward leprosy with 30-50% students showing neutral approach but negative reaction was more in rural students. In conclusion the study highlights to emphasize on health education in students and improving knowledge to develop positive attitude towards leprosy.
authors.affiliation: Deptt. of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy National Institute of Medical Science and Research, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India SMS Medical College, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. drskin2@gmail.com
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Kanodia
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Dixit
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Shukla
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Seth
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Balothia
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gupta
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007918:Leprosy / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D012424:Rural Population; D012574:Schools; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population