1st Place Research Leprosy

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Leprosy:
Rehabilitation Through
Community-Sustainable Income
Generation
Alison Hench, OMS-II
J li Hoppe,
Jolie
H
OMS-II
OMS II
Michael Sullivan, OMS-II
Touro University, California
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The Basics of Leprosy
p y
„
What is Leprosy?
„
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Who’s at risk?
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individuals with compromised immunity and prolonged exposure
How’s it spread?
„
„
an infectious granulomatous disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae
Via direct contact on mucosal surfaces
What are the physical manifestations?
„
„
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Skin lesions that are lighter than an individual’s normal skin color
„ Lesions with decreased sensation to touch, heat, or pain
„ Lesions do not heal after several weeks to months
Peripheral Neuropathy
„ Numbness or absent sensation in the hands, arms, feet, and legs
M
Muscle
l weakness
k
+ Touro University’s Global Health Program
g
& Global Physicians Corps
„
The mission of the Global Health Program at Touro University
is to promote the interest of our medical and health care
students on g
global health through
g education, research and
community service. Each year Touro students travel to
countries like Tanzania to serve those in need.
„
The Gl
Th
Global
b l Ph
Physicians
i i
C
Corps iis a global
l b l network
t
k off students,
t d t
health care and other professionals, who came together to
establish a partnership aiming to understand and address all
factors attributing to global health issues while providing
sustainable solutions to the delivery of health care in
underserved areas of the global community.
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The Burden of Leprosy
p y
„
Historically
Hi
to icall leprosy
le o has
ha bee
been a di
disease
ea e with
ith both physical
h ical
and social manifestations
„
„
„
Leprosy in Tanzania
„
„
„
Lepers have been ostracized by their communities
They have formed their own colonies
Incidence
Poverty increases the chances of contracting leprosy, and leprosy
perpetuates poverty
In Tanzania,
Tanzania family is a central force,
force but the burden of the
disease can strain these relationships
„
„
„
Existing stigma
„ Poor education
Financial/support difficulties
Emotional/physical needs of the lepers
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Shirati,, Tanzania
„
Since 2004, Touro University in conjunction with Global
Physicians Corps has worked in the Shirati KMT Hospital
„
Within the hospital,
hospital there is a leprosy ward
„
„
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Currently has 17 inpatients
Rehabilitation
Treatment
Just outside of the hospital,
there is a leprosy camp
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„
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Currently has 9 residents
Source of emotional support
Goal of self-sufficiency
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Leprosy
p y Project,
j , Phase I
„
Began in 2009 with the purpose of evaluating the needs
and facilities for the long-term care of leprosy patients
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Clean water and food resources were improved
„
Water collection tanks installed
„
Chickens were p
purchased and a chicken coop
p was built
„
Farming supplies were purchased and crops were planted
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Leprosy
p y Project,
j , Phase I Results
„
Questionnaire results
„
Provision of food as a charity is ineffective
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the lack of income generation
„
the lack of psychosocial support
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the lack of assistance with mobility (i.e. canes, wheel chairs, and
prosthetics)
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the patients needed protective items in order to address the
physical effects of the disease
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Leprosy
p y Project,
j , Phase II ((2010))
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Addressed physical needs evaluated in Phase I
„
Promote self-sufficiency
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Focus group with leprosy camp to identify obstacles:
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Individual prostheses
„
Crop
p maintenance/harvest
Recommendations were accordingly provided by stakeholders
which included purchasing a water pump
„
Farm near Lake Victoria
„
Yearly income generated without water pump: 100,000 TSh (~100 USD)
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Leprosy
p y Project,
j , Phase II
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Distribution of supplies
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Leprosy
p y Project,
j , Phase II
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Water Pump Purchase
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Leprosy
p y Project,
j , Phase II
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Water Pump Assembly and Usage
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Leprosy
p y Project,
j , Phase II Results
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Evaluated findings of Phase I and addressed the physical
needs of the lepers
„
Purchased a water pump hoping to increase income
generated and allow year-round harvest of the camp’s millet
and maize crops
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Leprosy
p y Project,
j , Phase III ((2011))
„
Evaluate the outcome of the water pump on economic status
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Sustainability of intervention program
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Issues regarding maintenance
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Mobility improvement
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Evaluate prosthetic facility
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Leprosy
p y Project,
j , Phase II
Conclusion
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While it is well-known that leprosy is a disease of poverty,
little has been documented to show how this disease furthers
hardships.
„
In our evaluation, we found that the disease furthers
hardships due to the physical manifestations (primarily
peripheral
i h l neuropathy)
th ) lleading
di tto secondary
d
emotional,
ti
l
social and financial disadvantages for those affected.
„
With the development of camps and rehabilitation centers,
these individuals learn how to manage with their disabilities.
„
Our project established a method of income generation for a
leprosy camp in Shirati, Tanzania with the goal of stopping
this cycle of leprosy perpetuating poverty.
Thank you Touro University and Global Physicians Corps