The health service seeking characteristics of leprosy cases in hospital with new case leprosy registration, 2007-2011

Abstract

The objective of this descriptive research was to study the health service seeking characteristics of leprosy cases in hospital with new case leprosy registration in the context of universal health coverage service between the year 2007 and 2011. The research tools were questionnaire and case record form. The 97 samples was selected from new leprosy cases registered consist of Sirindhorn hospital and 8 universal health coverage service hospitals since 2007 to 2011. The study and data collection conducted between November 2012 to August 2013. Data analysis by descriptive statistic. The result revealed that 70% of most patients had the age  between 45-74 year. 62.9% lived in their hometown,33% moved according to family and 60%  lived in the villages were detected leprosy cases. The relation of leprosy contact history  found that 54% were from  family contact  and 33% from neighborhood contact. 30% of patients move out the village for looking for a job. 52.6% of leprosy cases came to diagnosed at Sirindhorn hospital due to the well known of the hospital in skin disease diagnosis and treatment reason by 37% and  by recommendation from their neighborhood or health personnel 60%.  84% of the patients had never go to the universal health coverage service hospital. The leprosy cases diagnosed by provincial hospital and district hospital was 22.7% and 20% respectively. The reason was near their home  42.4% and 47.6% by recommendation  from others . The median of visit time at universal health coverage service was 2 times/person.

          Conclusion, the decision making of the patients to go for diagnosis skin disease at Sirindhorn hospital or the hospital by universal health coverage service was come from the information from their family, neighborhood, health officer and their perception of leprosy or living in the villages which leprosy case detected. The experience and technical expertise of health personnel is the factor to higher rate of cases finding. So, the activities of case finding is to promote and encourage in the group of family contact and set up the surveillance system by the participation of community or family leaders especially in the village which leprosy cases detected.