Journal of Public Health in Africa 2011 ; volume 2:e10 Social stigma as an epidemio- lack of self-esteem, tribal stigma and complete rejection by society. From the 480 structured Correspondence: Dr. Dickson S. Nsagha, logical determinant for leprosy questionnaires administered, there were over- Department of Public Health and Hygiene, elimination in Cameroon all positive attitudes to lepers among the study Medicine Programme, Faculty of Health Sciences, population and within the divisions (P=0.0). University of Buea, PO Box 63, Buea, Cameroon. Dickson S. Nsagha,1,2 The proportion of participants that felt sympa- Tel. +237. 77499429.E-mail:
[email protected] [email protected] Anne-Cécile Z.K. Bissek,3 thetic with deformed lepers was 78.1% [95% 4 confidence interval (CI): 74.4-81.8%] from a Sarah M. Nsagha, Key words: leprosy, social stigma, attitudes, elim- Anna L. Njunda,5 total of 480. Three hundred and ninety nine ination, Cameroon. Jules C.N. Assob,6 (83.1%) respondents indicated that they could Earnest N. Tabah,7 share a meal or drink at the same table with a Acknowledgements: the authors are grateful to Elijah A. Bamgboye,2 deformed leper (95% CI: 79.7-86.5%). Four Mr. Nsagha BN, Mr. Nsagha IG and Late Papa hundred and three (83.9%) participants indi- James Nsagha, who sponsored this study. The Alain Bankole O.O. Oyediran,2 cated that they could have a handshake and authors also thank Mr. Agyngi CT & Mr. Ideng DA Peter F. Nde,1 embrace a deformed leper (95% CI: 80.7- of the Benakuma Health Center; Mr.