Leprosy is one of the major public health issues in India. In the year 2000, India accounted for 64% of the global burden of leprosy cases. Between 2001 and 2005, it was questionably reduced by 80%. This sharp decline in the prevalence of leprosy resulted in cessation of active surveillance by the government health systems, raising a sense of alarm in the scientific community.

The scientific community's alarm seems well founded. A total population survey was taken up by the Foundation for Medical Research in defined rural and urban areas, which revealed a significant number of undetected leprosy cases, both adult and children, especially in rural areas.

This study -- A situational analysis of leprosy in rural Panvel block of Maharashtra -- is a response to the felt need to inquire into the issues related to access to leprosy care in the study area.

The study was undertaken in www.rabanwatch.com order to understand reasons for a large number of cases remaining undetected and factors contributing to the high prevalence of leprosy in the community.

The study inquired into:

Socio-demographic profile of patients and its influence on help seeking Patterns of help seeking Patients' perceptions about leprosy and different health systems Perceptions of health care providers about leprosy and leprosy patients Diagnostic and treatment procedures for leprosy Cost of leprosy care

Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with adult patients, parents of children stricken with leprosy, NGO workers and PHC staff.

The study brought to light the failure of Information, Education and Communication activities conducted by the public sector, which resulted in lack of awareness in the community about symptoms, causes and cure of leprosy.

The findings also indicated that the dialogue between the patients and the health care providers was poor, and that more than half of the patients who took treatment, accessed private clinics, leading to high expenditure. The study emphasized the need for intensive education to the community, frequent training to service providers and building people's trust in public health facilities.

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Partners : Foundation for Medical Research, Mumbai.   Maharashtra Association of Anthropological Sciences Centre for Health Research and Development, Pune. Support : Foundation for Medical Research, Mumbai. Contact person : Sachin Atre .