The objective of our research was to identify factors contributing to delay in diagnosis and
start of treatment in leprosy, focussing on patients' narratives of help-seeking behaviour. Our
research took place in Purulia, West Bengal, India and in Nilphamari, northern Bangladesh.
Between January and August 2000, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 104
patients that explored each individual's narrative of help-seeking behaviour and the context
of beliefs and attitudes towards leprosy. Subsequently we surveyed 356 patients currently …

Prolonged delays between first symptoms and diagnosis easily result in more impairment in
newly detected leprosy patients, and aggregate negative consequences for individuals and
their families. In cases of infectious leprosy, longer delays increase the risk for the spread of
the disease. Limited studies have been carried out to explore the causes for delays in Nepal.
This is a community level qualitative study conducted in Dang district. The information was
obtained through in-depth interviews with 8 leprosy affected persons, 8 contacts, 8 …