A study of knowledge, attitude and practices regarding leprosy among undergraduates and interns of a medical college and hospital from rural India

摘要

Leprosy is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae and acquired through droplet infection. India has been carrying the 2/3rd global leprosy burden. Inadequate or incorrect information and knowledge about the disease and its treatment are the root causes of many stigmas and inhibitions prevalent in the various sections of the community. The present study was undertaken to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) regarding leprosy among undergraduates (final year medical students) and interns of Rural Medical College and Pravara Rural Hospital, Loni, Maharashtra, India. It is heartening to note that most of students and interns had good knowledge about regimens, counselling and were willing to work in leprosy. There were, however, misconceptions about several aspects of diseases which were more in case of final year students compared with interns. Significant improvement in the knowledge of interns in comparison of final year MBBS students was mostly noted on the aspects like transmission of leprosy, involvement of ulnar nerve in the leprosy, immunological relevance, use of vaccine, treatment of leprosy affected person and leprosy associated stigma. This positive change in attitudes as well as knowledge highlightthe requirement of proper training and clinical exposure of medical students and important role of internship. There is need to focus on important aspects (such as cardinal signs, public health aspects and definitions, infectivity, misconception about marriage in which insignificant changes were observed.