A single dose of rifampicin to prevent leprosy; quantitative analysis of impact on perception, attitudes and behaviour of persons affected, contacts and community members towards leprosy in India, Nepal and Indonesia

摘要

Introduction: This study looked at the effect of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) with single-dose rifampicin (SDR) and the education given along with SDR-PEP on stakeholders’ perception regarding leprosy. It is a side study of the Leprosy Postexposure Prophylaxis (LPEP) Program. Methods: The study was done in LPEP implementation areas in India, Nepal and Indonesia. A before and after survey design was used, with qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. This paper presents the quantitative results. In each country 100 interviews were held with representatives of leprosy patients, contacts and community members, before and 1–1.5 years after starting the LPEP Program. Three tools were used: a knowledge, attitudes and practices questionnaire, EMIC community stigma scale and social distance scale (SDS).