Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Leprosy CHN
Leprosy CHN
Method of transmission
> Airborne – inhalation of droplets/spray from coughing or sneezing of untreated leprosy patient
> Prolonged skin to skin contact
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of leprosy is currently based on clinical signs and symptoms especially if there is history of
contact with person with leprosy. Only in rare instances is there really a need to use laboratory and
other investigations to confirm a diagnosis
Susceptibility
Children especially 12 yrs old and below are more susceptible
Prevention
> Avoidance of prolonged skin to skin contact especially with a
lepromatous case
> Children should avoid close contact with active untreated leprosy
case
> BCG vaccination
> Good personal hygiene
> Health education
Management/ Treatment
>Ambulatory chemotherapy through use of Multi Drug Therapy
> Domicilliary treatment as embodied in R.R.4073 which advocates
home treatment
WHO Classification of Leprosy which is the basis of modern
management or Multi Drug Therapy:
> Paucibacillary (tuberculoid and indeterminate)
Non infectious types
Duration of treatment 6 to 9 months
> Multibacillary ( Lepromatous and borderline)
Infectious type
Duration of treatment 24 to 30 months
Public Health Nurse Responsibilities
Prevention
> Health education of patients, families and the community
> Advocate Healthful living
> BCG vaccination
Casefinding
>recognize early signs and symptoms
> takes patient family history and fills up patients records
> conducts epidemiological investigation and report finding to MHO
> assists physician in physical examination of patients in the clinic or
home
>assess the health of the family members and other household
contacts
> integrates casefinding leprosy cases in other activities
Management and Treatment
> Promote healthy living
>Help the patient and the family understand and accept the problem brought by
the disease
> Provides and arranges for provision of nursing care of patients at home
> Prevents secondary injury
> Guides and support patients and family throughout the treatment
> Gives mental and emotional support
> Refers the patient to other health and allied workers
Rehabilitation
> Helps create a congenial atmosphere essential to progressive recovery
> Must be kind and maintain attitude of professional concern and interest
> Encourage patients participation in occupational activities suited to hi interest,
experience and capacity
> Refers patient to other persons/agencies who can help his/her physical,
mental and social rehabilitation
Family health
Promote family health by:
> Providing information education to patient and his her family on family
planning anf nutrition
> Encourage utilization of available family planning and nutrition service
> Providing counseling and guidance
Community Health
> Participates in community assemblies and shares information on leprosy and
its management
>Participates in seminars, workshops, consultative meetings of other Gos and
NGOs on leprosy control
> Participate in tri media dissemination of leprosy facts and NLCPMDT program