“The Way You're Makin’ Me Feel” Perception of Tala High School Senior Students on Leprosy and Its Patients

Abstract

Leprosy is a disease that causes physical deformities in the body, especially in the skin, nerves and limbs. For generations, different factors were attributed as the cause of the disease; it is believed to be a result of the sins one committed or caused by environmental agents or heredity. Due to the lack of accurate knowledge about the nature of the disease, Leprosy patients were segregated to secluded parts of the community and Leprosaria were built including Tala Leprosarium, now called the Jose Rodriguez Memorial Hospital. Leprosy was also considered one of the most stigmatizing diseases. And because ofthe associated stigma, Leprosy patients do not only suffer from physical pain, but also from emotional pain that is brought by discrimination and prejudice they experience in the community. Moreover, although researches were done to explore the nature of Leprosy as well as Leprosy Stigma, only a few discuss solution for further reducing stigma on Leprosy. Thus, the study was conducted to determine 1) the participants’ knowledge on the nature of the disease; 2) the perceptions of the participants on the disease and the patients with Leprosy, both as individuals and members of the community, and to determine if there is a significant relationship between their knowledge and their perceptions. The study also aimed to provide concerned departments/offices, the community, and the patients themselves with the responses and statements given by the participants that will help them deal with the effects of stigma in a better way. The study was also conducted to be able to notify the residents living around Tala Leprosarium with the proper knowledge about Leprosy; this proper dissemination of facts will aid in creating possible interventions as well as in reducing misconceptions about the disease. A measure of quantitative research method was used for this study. The researcher conducted a survey to 504 senior students of Tala High school utilizing a questionnaire purposely developed and validated for use in the said study. Quantitative analysis of the data gathered made use of descriptive statistics such as percentage and average to describe the sample surveyed in the study as well as on identifying the knowledge and perception of the students on Leprosy. Key patterns were also described with regard to the open ended question in order to show some similarities or relationships with the responses. Correlational analysis, on the other hand, is used to determine if there is a significant relationship between the participants’ knowledge about the nature of Leprosy and their perception on the patients. Results of the study show that most of the participants do not know the specific details on Leprosy suchas signs, symptoms, causes, and kinds. Most of them cannot also identify the different methods of treating Leprosy. They are not also familiar of other complications that are brought about by Leprosy in the body. However, majority of them know the physical manifestations of the disease in the human body. More than half of the respondents are also aware that Leprosy is already possible to cure. Moreover, statistical analysis demonstrated that the participants’ knowledge about the disease and their perception on the patients as individuals and members of the community have strong positive correlation at r = 0.339, N = 504, p< 0.05 and r = 0.240, N = 504, P<0.05, respectively. The relationship of the two variables under study was found to be directly proportional; as the participants acquire more knowledge about the disease, the better their attitude toward the patients will be — whether they see them individually or as a community member. Based on the responses on the open- ended questions, it was found out that majority of the respondents have positive understanding on Leprosy patients as individuals. Results are also similar with regard to the participants’ perception on Leprosy patients as members of the community. However, findings show that students look at Leprosy patients on the individual level first before they assess their impact on the community level. Therefore, the researcher rejected the null hypothesis of this study and considered the alternative hypothesis, “The higher the adolescents’ level of knowledge about the nature of the disease Leprosy, the more positive their perception of the patients will be.” Results also show that the more knowledgeable people are about the true nature of Leprosy, the attitude toward Leprosy patients and Leprosy itself will be more positive. This in turn will aid in the reduction of Leprosy stigma that for generations have imprisoned Leprosy patients not just physically but also emotionally. Furthermore, this study recommends future researchers to conduct more indepth studies regarding the effects of Leprosy Stigma to patients using broader instruments and more diverse participants. The government may also be able to pass a memorandum or a law that will protect Leprosy patients from any form of discrimination. Also, the health agencies, government, as well as non-government organizations could support Leprosy patients and their families through implementation of projects or programs such as free check-ups and medical missions that will help the patient maintain a good health by continuous medication. They could also organize programs where doctors will provide in-depth knowledge on the cause, transmission, effects, treatments, and the process of acquiring the disease. On the other hand, to be able to fully participate and be involved in the Tala community, it is recommended that the barangay empower the patients to organize events, meetings and congregations. There should also be an implementation of fund- raising projects and programs that will benefit the Leprosy patients financially, socially and emotionally.