Knowledge and attitude of health professionals in relation to the integration of leprosy control into the general health service in Ethiopia

Since the introduction of multidrug therapy for leprosy patients, the integration of leprosy control in the general health service (GHS) system has been an issue of debate. In Ethiopia, the present policy stresses integrated management of diseases. In spite of the policy, however, leprosy control wa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	International journal of leprosy and other mycobacterial diseases Vol. 68; no. 3; p. 299
Main Authors:	Asnake, M K, Ahmed, M, Genebo, T, Dawit, M W, Mekebib, B
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	United States 01-09-2000
Subjects:	Attitude of Health Personnel Clinical Competence Cross-Sectional Studies Ethiopia Female Health Education Health Facilities Health Personnel - psychology Health Personnel - statistics & numerical data Health Policy Humans Leprosy - drug therapy Leprosy - prevention & control Male Nurses Physicians Regional Health Planning - organization & administration Surveys and Questionnaires Ethiopia
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Summary:	Since the introduction of multidrug therapy for leprosy patients, the integration of leprosy control in the general health service (GHS) system has been an issue of debate. In Ethiopia, the present policy stresses integrated management of diseases. In spite of the policy, however, leprosy control was a vertical program until 1998 in most parts of the country. A descriptive cross-section study was conducted in the southern region of Ethiopia from October 1996 to March 1997 to determine the levels of involvement of the GHS staff and to identify obstacles to their involvement in the management of leprosy patients. Through a written questionnaire, data were collected from 240 GHS staff, including doctors, nurses and health assistants. It was found that 6% of the GHS staff was involved in leprosy control activities, mainly case finding and health education. Negative attitudes toward leprosy workers were held by 13% of the GHS staff while 40% had intermediate attitudes and the remaining 47% had positive attitudes. Statistically significant differences were found with regard to the level of knowledge among different health professionals, type of health institutions and years of service. The levels of involvement, knowledge and attitude of GHS staff showed that lack of integration and training were core problems. Hence, policy makers should give due attention to promoting the involvement of the GHS staff by integrating the program into the GHS system using the approach already in place in certain parts of the country.
ISSN:	0148-916X