@article{98032,
  author = {Sharma P and Shakya R and Singh S and Bhandari A and Shakya R and Amatya A and Joshi C and Gurung G},
  title = {Prevalence of Anxiety and Depression among People Living with Leprosy and its Relationship with Leprosy-Related Stigma},
  abstract = {<p id="st1title"><strong>Background:&nbsp;</strong>Leprosy, a chronic infectious disease, is associated with a high risk of psychiatric disorders.</p>

<p id="st2title"><strong>Aims and Objectives:&nbsp;</strong>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.</p>

<p id="st3title"><strong>Materials and Methods:&nbsp;</strong>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.</p>

<p id="st4title"><strong>Results:&nbsp;</strong>About 10.1% (<em>n</em>&nbsp;= 12) and 12.6% (<em>n</em>&nbsp;= 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.</p>

<p id="st5title"><strong>Conclusion:&nbsp;</strong>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.</p>
},
  year = {2022},
  journal = {Indian Journal of Dermatology},
  volume = {67},
  pages = {693–698},
  publisher = {Pubmed},
  url = {https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10043667/},
  language = {Eng},
}