Abstract
This study is based on the data which were collected at Etawah clinic, Uttar Pradesh State, India, from September to October of 1971. The clinic was established by JALMA in January of 1966 and the staff of Agra Center of JALMA attended there once a week
or two weeks.
The data were analized in the point of view that the satisfaction or evaluation of the patients to the treatment will have an important influence for them to continue the regular and long period treatment at out patient clinics, especially in the cases of the patients who are suffering from chronic diseases such as leprosy.
The number of male patients was 941, female 103 and totally 1, 044 in the object group. The male-female rate was 9.1: 1 and it showed the decrease of the female patient number compared to the male-female rate of the newly registered patients in the same year. Some social and historical factors were supposed to have an influence for the decrease of female patient number attending to the clinic.
The rate of the patient who gave a good evaluation to the treatment were 50% from male group and 39% from female. The rate of patient who complained of any symptoms was below 50% in both sex groups. There was a difference of the evaluation between male and female groups and it seemed due to the higher percentage of female patients who answered 'No change'.
Over 50% patients out of male lepromatous group gave a good evaluation and the value did not depend on the length of the treatment period. Out of male tuberculoid patients, about 70% showed a satisfaction after 6 month to one year treatment, but the value went down to 50% after the period and it waved from the higher to the lower areas of the 50% line or con-trarily. From male borderline group, only 25% patients showed a good evaluation after three month treatment and even after the period, the value stayed lower than 50% generally.
The difference of the evaluation by the patients seemed due to the various symptoms and reaction to the treatment observed in the different types or groups of the disease.
Further analization of the investigation will give useful suggestions to the health education for the patients who must continue the regular treatment at the clinics.
