Focusing anti-discrimination efforts in areas of most relevance to people affected by leprosy

Abstract

Summary: We conducted a brief survey using a number of dimensions of the Principles and Guidelines accompanying the Resolution on the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members, to increase our understanding of the dimensions of discrimination which impact most closely on people affected by leprosy. Our study included 265 participants from 20 different countries. We found that participants reported higher levels of discrimination on practical and personal issues, and lower levels of discrimination on more abstract issues that didn’t impact them directly. These findings may inform implementation of the Principles and Guidelines, providing justification for prioritising practical and local measures, which are likely to have the most immediate impact on people affected by leprosy.