Face To Face With Leprosy How do the members of the public view them? How do they treat them?

Purpose Reasons for Title Choice: We are supposed to interview someone on their views about people with Leprosy and find out how they will treat them. Purposes of Articles:  It is to educate the public about leprosy and change the way they view and treat those people infected with it.  Give those with leprosy a chance to be accepted by the society and also contribute to the economic of the country

What is Leprosy? Leprosy is a mildly infectious disease caused by a bacteria, Mycobacterium Leprae. The disease mainly affects the skin and peripheral nerves. This disease is known since ancient times and fears and myths surrounding the disease have persisted to the present time. Over the past fifty years we have made considerable progress in the understanding and treatment of the disease.

What is Leprosy? The germs are transmitted by droplets when an infectious leprosy patient coughs or sneezes. Not everyone exposed to the bacteria develop the disease. Most people have natural immunity and are completely immune to the infection. A few who have some or no immunity to leprosy develop clinical disease after an incubation period varying from 3 to 20 years

Signs of having Leprosy: Leprosy may present with: One or more slightly whitish hypo-pigmented or reddish patches which may have loss of sensation. Impairment of sensation (numbness) with or without paralysis of fingers, toes, limbs or legs Thickened nerves which may be painful. Thickened patches which are flat or raised over face and body

Interview Questions From the view as a member of the public: Have you ever heard of leprosy? Do you know what it is? Where did you get your information about leprosy from? Have you ever come in contact with anyone with the disease? If yes, how did it feel like? Aren’t you afraid that he/she may infect you with the disease? If no, would you like to meet one?

Interview Questions From the view as an employer: If you are the employer of a company, would you ever employ/hire someone who is infected with the disease, but has the qualifications for the job? Why? How do you feel about those people who reject or alienate them form the society? Lastly, if the chance arises, would you want to visit the home with people infected with leprosy?

Interview Response: Me: Have you ever heard of leprosy? Do you know what it is? Father: No. Me: Explain what Leprosy is. After hearing what is Leprosy, would you ever want to get near a person infected with Leprosy? Father: I think I would. The disease can only be spread via the droplets from the infected person. Therefore, I am not afraid that he would spread the disease to me. Me: Now, from the view of a employer, would you employ someone someone who is infected with the disease.

Interview Response: Father: It all depends on what type of job employer I am. For example, if I am looking for a kitchen helper in a restaurant or the person who serves food in a fast food chain, I won’t employ them as they might be a high chance of them making the customer lose their appetite. Furthermore, if they do not have good hygiene practice, they might contaminate the food and may have a chance of infecting the customer. If I am looking for someone to do office work or paper work, I won’t mind employing him or her.

Interview Response: Me: How do you feel about those people who reject or alienate them from society? Father: I personally feel that this people should not caste them aside as they are still part of our society and they should be given a chance to contribute to the economics of the country. Furthermore, Singapore relies on man power for her growth. Since they are able bodied, then they are able to contribute to the society in one way or another. Me: Lastly, if the chance arises, would you want to visit the home with people infected with leprosy? Father: If the chance arises, won’t mind visiting the homes to take a look or do some community work there.

3 Difficulties During the interview, it is very difficult to keep up to the speed of the speaker when I am writing. When interviewing parents, I must use simple words or else they won’t understand When getting their opinions, they tend to be out of point so I have to ask them again.

2 Things Learnt Interview Skills such as knowing how to rephrase sentence during the interview for understanding. Time have to be given to the interviewee to think.

1 Thing In The Future To visit the home of the leprosy with my family.

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