Correlation between perceived stigma and quality of life of leprosy patients

Abstract

Background: Stigma is one of many problems that hinders leprosy prevention efforts. Perceived stigma refers to the perceptions and subjective awareness of leprosy patients what the community thinks or do to themselves which can reduce quality of life (QOL). This study aimed to analyze the correlation between perceived stigma and QOL of leprosy patients Methods: This study involved 30 leprosy patients and the baseline data were collected through interview. We assessed perceived stigma and QOL respectively by using Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue (EMIC) and World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire. Pearson correlation test is used to analyze the collected data. Results: There was a significant correlation between perceived stigma and QOL (p=0,011; r=-0,459). The majority of research subjects were aged between 19-40 years old with male sex predominance, senior high school education, income below the city minimum wage and married status. Most of them had negative perceived stigma. Covering illness from others and discussing their illness closest people were the dominant factors affecting perceived stigma. They had ordinary QOL subjectively, not satisfied to health condition, physical domain was the most affected by Leprosy and had a good QOL. Conclusion: There was a significant correlation between perceived stigma and QOL.