Leprosy in the Northern India. XI. Analyzing study of the information source about the clinics for new visitors

Abstract

In the months of June and July, 1970, data from the clinics for new visitors at Ghatampur and Etawah (North India) were analyzed. Interviews were made with 641 newly registered leprosy patients and 437 non-leprosy persons consulting the clinics. Generally, the new visitors at the clinics came from villages or the local agricultural areas where health centres or hospitals were scarce. Neighbouring leprosy patients under treatment acted mainly as the information source for the new visitors, especially in the group of male adults. In the boy, girl (both under 14 years of age) and female adult groups, relatives acted for a great deal as the information source. As leprosy patients under treatment act for a great part as the information source, the fact of treatment itself and attitude or thinking pattern of the medical and paramedical staff of the clinics have an important influence in treating patients and in attracting untreated patients from their home. The results, emphasize the importance of the training of medical and paremedical staff.