Utilization of medical agencies and treatment compliance by urban (Madras) leprosy patients.

The utilization of medical agencies and treatment compliance by 3880 leprosy patients registered with Govt. Leprosy Control Unit, Saidapet, Madras were studied. It was observed that 39% patients waited for 1.32 (+/- 1.75) years before medical consultation, for their negligence and unawareness of disease. About 16% and 4% patients consulted Gen. Hospitals and Private Practitioners, respectively. The leprosy clinics were most popular, 35% patients changed medical agencies. On an average, one patient had consulted 1.47 (+/- 0.51) medical agencies and 1.23 (+/- 0.52) leprosy clinics, for treatment of leprosy. Only 45% patient attended clinic regularly, others attended irregularly (22.5%) or discontinued (32.4%). The unsuitable clinic timing (morning) was an important factor for defaulting the clinics. Of the 2625 (67.66%) patients who attended last clinic, one patient had missed an average of 5.5 (+/- 8.3) DDS tablets in a month. The implications of findings and suggestions to improve the service utilization with good compliance by patients, are discussed in this communication.