Original Research Article
Year: 2017 | Month: June | Volume: 7 | Issue: 6 | Pages: 276-281
Improving Ways with Current Status of Leprosy Services in Bangladesh
Qazi Azad-uz-zaman1, Quazi Zahangir Hossain2, Jiptha Boiragee3, Masuma Parvin4
1Research Manager, Japan Association of Drainage and Environment, House-6, Road-2, Nirala R/A, Khulna-9100, Bangladesh;
2Professor, Environmental Science Discipline, Life Science School, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh;
3Project Support Coordinator, 4 Project Manager, AEP Project,
The Leprosy Mission International Bangladesh, Mohakhali DOHS, Dhaka-1206, Bangladesh;
Corresponding Author: Qazi Azad-uz-zaman
ABSTRACT
Objective: The research aims to tabulate the availability of leprosy services in selected districts of Bangladesh to consider way of improvement.
Methods:Cross sectional study was conducted in 2016 in Gaibandha, Meherpur, Gopalgonj, Chuadanga and Feni districts of Bangladesh with different prevalence of Leprosy affected people (LAP) and NGO input. 103 officials from GoB health services, and NGOs providing service at different locations of the districts and 61 under treatment LAP and Resealed from Treatment (RFT) were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaire. Convenient sampling technique was applied for selecting respondents.
Results:77% of the service providers had general education, 15% MBBS and 8% had medical assistant training. 52% were working for at least 10 years and 30% didn’t support any LAP within last 6 months due to unavailability of patient. The maximum 46% were involved in suspecting and referring LAP to health institute.
92% of the LAP admitted that they were treated as normal as other patient and didn’t face any difficulty or harassment to get MDT. Only 25% of the service providers used to think that proved service was enough and they suggested for training to the staffs, frequent screening at the potentially risk areas, awareness campaign, monitoring, and effective collaboration among co-workers can improve the present leprosy service situation.
Conclusion:Although leprosy is declared eliminated in Bangladesh, still there are some high endemic geographic areas. Collaborative and suggestive improved services may be the elimination pathways from high endemic areas of Bangladesh.
Key words: Leprosy, available service, elimination, high endemic areas, Bangladesh