ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Services available to children of leprosy patients in leprosy settlements in Abia, and Oyo States of Nigeria
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College of medicine, Abia State University,
Uturu, Nigeria
Online publication date: 2009-10-15
Publication date: 2009-10-15
Eur J Gen Med 2009;6(4):195-203
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Aim: Study investigates extent to which services like free
education, health care including HIV/AIDS prevention and others
are available to children of leprosy patients in settlements; To
find out the risk factors children of leprosy patients are exposed
to in the settlements.
Methods: Study was carried out in 3 purposively selected leprosy
settlements, Uzuakoli in Abia State, Ohaozara in Ebonyi State
and Ogbomoso in Oyo State using 86 children from 10 years and
above who are available during study. Structured questionnaire,
and interview schedule were instruments used. Data were analyzed
with Stat Pac Gold package.
Results: Provision of social services to children of leprosy patients
studied is limited. Only a total of 13 (16.5%) of the children in
both States enjoyed free education. The rest 66 (83.5%) paid
school fees. Despite the fact that greater number of children
in Oyo State 34 (94.4%) than in Abia State 32 (74.4%), enjoyed
free education, higher proportion of children in Abia State 43
(95.6%) than in Oyo State 36 (87.9%), was in school. About 42
(97.7%) of children in Abia State and 30 (83.3%) in Oyo State
lacked knowledge of HIV prevention. Neither reproductive health
services including HIV/AIDS prevention nor prophylactic treatments
for leprosy were available to them. Finding showed that out of
33 females studied, 7 (21%) in Oyo and 4 (12%) in Abia, without
being properly married, were living and making babies with the
opposite sex in the settlements.
Conclusion: In view of above results, increased social services
including HIV/AIDS prevention, prophylactic treatments and health
promotions are recommended.