5 S Balegar et al (227-236)

Health-seeking habits play a critical role in early diagnosis and effective treatment for leprosy. The utilization of a health care system depends on socio-demographic factors, social structures, level of education, cultural beliefs and practices, gender discrimination, status of women, economic and political systems, environmental conditions, disease pattern and health care system itself. A cross sectional study was conducted to assess the health-seeking behavior of the patients with leprosy. A total of 46 patients with leprosy attending Dermatology OPD, RIMS, Ranchi were interviewed through semi-structured questionnaire during the period between June 2015 to November 2015. It was observed that out of 46 leprosy patients, 31(67.4%) were males and 15(32.6%) females. Mean and standard deviation of age of patients was 38 years and 14.5 years respectively. Majority [35(76%)] of the patients belong to lower class according to updated Kuppuswamy's scale. It was observed that 19(41.3%) patients did not have any knowledge about the disease. 5(10.86%) knew only the name of the disease and the remaining 21(45.65%) had other views about the disease like curse, myth, allergy, trauma etc. Only 1(2.17%) patient who was well educated and belonging to upper middle class knew about the exact cause of the disease and its complications. 20 patient diagnosed in first visits of which 6 went to Tertiary Health Centre, remaining 14 went to either General Practitioner or PHC/CHC. 26 patient