Disability Level, Physical Activity Limitations, Self-esteem and Self-efficacy of Persons Living with Leprosy in Selected States in Nigeria

Disability Level, Self-esteem and Self-efficacy of Persons with Leprosy in Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Leprosy-related disability is a challenge to public health, social and rehabilitation services in endemic countries. The study investigated self-esteem, self-efficacy, disability level and physical activity limitations of persons living with leprosy (PLL) in Nigeria.

Methods: The cross-sectional study involving 123 purposively sampled PLL from 5 randomly selected Nigerian states using the Morris Rosenberg self-esteem scale (RSES), General self-efficacy scale (GSES), World Health Organization Eyes, Hands and Feet (EHF) scores, and the Screening of Activity Limitation and Safety Awareness (SALSA) instrument. Mann-Whitney U-test and Spearman Rank Order correlation were used to analyze data at < 0.05 level of significance.

Results: The Mean age of participants was43.39±16.48years. Mean scores on the RSES and GSES and EHF were 13.82 5.52,30.56 5.42 and 6.46 respectively; and 50.42 14.53 on the SALSA, with significant negative correlation between RSES and SALSA (Ï= -0.344; p= 0.0001); GSES and SALSA (Ï= -0.423; p= 0.0001) and GSES and WHO-DG (Ï= -0.181; p=0.023). No significant difference was found between males and females on the RSES, GSES, EHF and SALSA (p> 0.05 in all cases).

Conclusion: PLLs had moderate levels of self-esteem, self-efficacy, and disability with severe limitations of physical activity, with significant correlations among all.