The Psychosocial Experiences in Ex-Leprosy Patients: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Ex-leprosy is a leprosy patient who has undergone treatment and is declared cured from a medical examination. The ex-leprosy have psychological and social problems due to disability and community stigma, caused them difficulty in re-socializing with the community. The aim is to identify the psychosocial experiences of ex leprosy in living their social life. This research is a phenomenological descriptive qualitative research method. The number of participants in this study were twelve using purposive sampling. Data collection using in-depth interviews and field notes, analyzed by the Collaizi method. This study produced six main themes, Social stigma, Support system, Able to do activities, Response to stress, Coping strategies, and Social support. Participants' social activity after recovering from leprosy has increased although there is still a stigma in some communities. Support from family and community is needed as well as good coping mechanisms for ex leprosy patients.

Stigma towards leprosy across seven life domains in Indonesia: a qualitative systematic review

“…These issues were not limited to adults 27 28. Enacted,2 8 9 23–48 anticipated2 8 9 24 26–28 35 37 44 45 49 50 and internalised stigma2 8 9 22 23 26–28 33 36 40 43 46 51 were linked to this.…”

“…LAPs in Indonesia face many difficulties in building a satisfactory relationship with their communities, indicating an effect on their social standing. Issues were experienced with friends,22 23 neighbours8 24–26 or others in the hometown 24. These issues were not limited to adults 27 28.…”

“…Drivers of these enacted stigma were associated with physical factors,2 22 25 28 29 37 39 47 51–53 fear of contagion,25 27 42 46 52 religious or mystical reasons,26 37 41 46 local connotations of the word ‘leprosy’ labelling the disease as fatal, ugly, insulting or worthy of ignoring,40 45 inhabiting the residential area known for leprosy,38 health worker home visits8 33 and inadequate social rehabilitation following release from treatment 34. Conditions unrelated to leprosy, such as poor financial conditions,53 being a woman, or belonging to an ethnic or religious minority, were also linked to unfair treatment 43…”

“…Diminished social status of LAPs occurred within the family. This manifested in enacted,2 8 9 22 23 25–29 32–34 37 40 44 45 54 anticipated8 9 23 29 33 40 44 52 and internalised stigma 2 28 32 40 44 51 54…”

Pelatihan berbasis Psikologis untuk Meningkatkan Penerimaan Diri pada Orang yang Pernah Mengalami Kusta (OYPMK)

“…Berbagai masalah psikologis yang menyertai penderita kusta dapat berdampak terhadap kualitas hidupnya (Muna & Fibriana, 2019;. Bahkan masalah psikologis tersebut seringkali tetap dirasakan Orang Yang Pernah Mengalami Kusta (OYPMK) setelah sembuh (Jufriyanto et al, 2020). Jika hal itu tidak ditangani dengan bijak, maka akan membuat OYPMK terus-menerus merasakan kualitas hidup yang rendah (Amelia et al, 2018).…”