Prevalence of Anxiety and Depression among People Living with Leprosy and its Relationship with Leprosy-Related Stigma

• Published in: Indian journal of dermatology Vol. 67; no. 6; pp. 693 - 698
• Main Authors: Sharma, Pawan, Shakya, Rabi, Singh, Swarndeep, Bhandari, Anup Raj, Shakya, Rajesh, Amatya, Amit, Joshi, Chunauti, Gurung, Grisha
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Wolters Kluwer - Medknow 01.11.2022
• Subjects: Original; Leprosy; stigma; mental health; Nepal
• ISSN: 0019-5154; 1998-3611
• DOI: 10.4103/ijd.ijd_777_22

Leprosy, a chronic infectious disease, is associated with a high risk of psychiatric disorders. We aim to estimate the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms among people living with leprosy at a special community residence in Nepal. We also aimed to find the correlation between anxiety and depression. This is a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted in a community of people with leprosy staying at a centre in Nepal using all enumerative sampling. The semi-structured schedule, hospital anxiety and depression scale and stigma assessment and reduction of impact (SARI) stigma scale were applied among 119 participants. About 10.1% ( = 12) and 12.6% ( = 15) of participants scored above the threshold score indicative of definitive clinically significant anxiety and depression symptoms. In multivariable analysis, leprosy-related stigma and attribution of leprosy to bad deeds were significant correlates of anxiety; whereas leprosy-related stigma and duration of stay at the centre were significant correlates of depression. The prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms among people living with leprosy is higher than that in the general population. Sigma is a significant correlation for both. It is important to screen for mental health issues while managing patients with leprosy and implement strategies aimed at leprosy-related stigma reduction.