Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences

Published by : PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL PUBLICATIONS

ISSN 1681-715X

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ORIGINAL ARTICLE

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Volume 23

October - December 2007 (Part-II)

Number  6


 

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Knowledge attitude and Practices about leprosy
in a fishing community in Karachi Pakistan

Nighat Nisar1, Iftikhar Ahmed Khan2, Majid Hafeez Qadri3, Pir Ghulam Nabi Shah4

ABSTRACT

Objective: To determine the level of knowledge, attitude and practices regarding leprosy in a fishing community of Karachi.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Muach Goth Kemari Town Karachi, from June-August 2005. About 300 people who did not have leprosy were interviewed randomly using a structured pre tested questionnaire. The inclusion criteria were adult, non diseased and resident of Muach Goth Kemari town.

Results: The findings of this study showed lack of knowledge about the cause, sign symptom, treatment and prevention of disease. The attitude towards the patient was found positive showing sympathy but at the same time significant level of stigma was found about the leprosy patient among the community. The majority of people did not receive any health education session or attended any seminar on leprosy and only 3% were aware of leprosy center in the area.

Conclusion: The community lacks knowledge about leprosy. Emphasis must be given on Health education. A high positive attitude was found with significant level of stigma. Only educational efforts can bring about change to over come the disease and improve knowledge of the people.

KEY WORDS: Leprosy, Knowledge, Attitude, Stigma.

Pak J Med Sci    October - December 2007 (Part-II)    Vol. 23 No. 6    936-940


1. Dr. Nighat Nisar,
Associate Professor, Community Medicine Department,
Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi – Pakistan.
2. Dr. Iftikhar Ahmed Khan,
General Physician, AL-Mansoor Hospital Taif ,
Kingdom of Saudia Arabia.
3. Dr. Majid Hafeez Qadri,
Assistant Professor, Community Medicine Department,
Baqai Medical University, Karachi – Pakistan
4. Dr. Pir Ghulam Nabi Shah,
MPH Student Baqai Medical University, Karachi.
Correspondence

Dr. Nighat Nisar ,
House No: 3-G, 6/3, Nazimabad No. 3,
Karachi-18, Pakistan.
E-mail: nisarnighat@hotmail.com

* Received for Publication: March 29, 2007
* Revision Accepted: August 30, 2007



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