[Psychosocial, economic and physical status of former leprosy patients in Uganda].

This study investigates the general living condition, the psychosocial, economical and physical situation of 161 leprosy patients previously treated at the St. Francis Leprosy Hospital at Buluba/Uganda, basing on interviews and clinical examinations. The results point to a negative correlation between general education and specific knowledge of leprosy and highlight a serious psychosocial situation of previously treated leprosy patients. The most important conclusion is that besides leprosy-specific chemotherapy, lifelong extensive general and leprosy-specific health education and posttreatment care can prevent disabilities in leprosy patients.