Community knowledge, perceptions and attitudes regarding leprosy in rural Cameroon: The case of Ekondotiti and Mbonge health districts in the South-west Region.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Although leprosy is one of the oldest diseases known to humanity, it remains largely misunderstood. Misconceptions about leprosy lead to stigma towards people with the disease. This study aimed at exploring the knowledge, perceptions and attitudes regarding leprosy in rural Cameroon.

Methods

We carried out a cross-sectional community survey of 233 respondents aged 15-75 years, free from leprosy, and living in two rural health districts of the South-west Region of Cameroon. A questionnaire designed to evaluate knowledge, perceptions and attitudes about leprosy was used. Binary logistic regression was used to determine independent predictors of negative attitudes.

Results

About 82% of respondents had heard about, and 64.4% knew someone with leprosy. Informati

SUBMITTER: Tabah EN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5825164 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature