Assessing the Impact of the Twin Track Socio-Economic Intervention on Reducing Leprosy-Related Stigma in Cirebon District, Indonesia

Dadun Dadun, Ruth M. H. Peters, Wim H. van Brakel, Joske G. F. Bunders, Irwanto Irwanto and Barbara J. Regeer
Additional contact information
Dadun Dadun: Center for Health Research, Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Indonesia, Building G, Room 211, Depok 16424, Indonesia
Ruth M. H. Peters: Athena Institute, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Wim H. van Brakel: Disability Studies, VUmc, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Joske G. F. Bunders: Athena Institute, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Irwanto Irwanto: Centre for Disability Studies, Selo Sumarjan Research Centre (SSRC), Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Indonesia, Depok 16424, Indonesia
Barbara J. Regeer: Athena Institute, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 3, 1-20

Abstract: The consequences of leprosy go beyond the physical, social and psychological, as leprosy can drive persons affected and their families into poverty, stigmatization and disability. This paper describes the impact of a socio-economic development (SED) intervention that uses a twin-track approach (two micro-credit models) to reduce leprosy-related stigma in Cirebon District, Indonesia. A randomized-controlled mixed-methods study design was used to test the effectiveness of the SED intervention. Three scales were used to measure stigma and participation restrictions among 30 SED clients and 57 controls, 20 in-depth interviews with SED clients and seven Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with key persons were held and 65 profiles of the clients were written up and analysed. The qualitative data shows the socio-economic status of 44 out of 65 SED clients (67%) improved. The median family income increased by 25%, more clients reported higher self-esteem, better interaction with neighbours and less stigma than before, although disclosure concerns remained an issue. The scales indicate a positive effect of the intervention on reducing stigma (e.g., Stigma Assessment and Reduction of Impact (SARI) stigma scale mean difference total score of pre and post assessment for SED clients versus the control group was 8.5 versus 5.6). A twin track socio-economic intervention, if embedded and integrated, can increase participation, and be constructive in reducing leprosy-related stigma.

Keywords: leprosy; stigma; disability; socio economic; twin track approach; Indonesia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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