QoL of ex-leprosy patients’ children in Vietnam

Abstract

In Vietnam, ex-leprosy patients and their families are housed in villages called leprosy villages. The aim of this study was to measure the quality of life (QoL) of ex-leprosy patients’ children who live in these leprosy villages with their families, using the Kid-KINDL R (Vietnamese version). We collected and analyzed data from 105 individuals (58 ex-leprosy patients’ children and 47 control group children). The results showed that the scores of the ex-leprosy patients’ children in terms of physical health and having friends, as well as their total scores, were significantly lower than those of the control group. However, no significant differences were in the scores for primary school, self-esteem, and family relationships though ex-leprosy patients’ children scored significantly lower in the secondary school category. Moreo -ver, the male children in the ex-leprosy patients’ children group in secondary schools had significantly lower scores in the self-esteem and family relationship categories than their female counterparts. The results also showed that the QoL of ex-leprosy patients’ children diminished after secondary school, which necessitates support for their physical health, self-esteem, and family relationships. Meanwhile, the academic achievement of ex-leprosy patients’ children was higher than that of those in the control group in upper secondary school, who therefore required socioeconomic support to foster motivation of ex-leprosy patients’ children to study and to move on to higher education.