Among the leprosy out-patients registered at the Chronic Disease Laboratory of
Catholic Medical Centre, 113 householders were randomly selected as suitable subjects
for the questionaair and, in the area north of the Han River in Kyonggi Province, 221
househotders in serum different settlement villages were also randomely selected. The
following is the result of the analysis of the material collected on the situation,
socio-psychological concerns and other points of interest of the patients.
1. Patients in their 40's comprised the highest number of both out-patients and
residents of settlement villages. On the over-all age pattern, residents of settlement
villages showed a remarkably older age group. Regarding origins, natives of the
high-enders ic leprosy provinces of Kyongsang and Cholla were greatest in number.
2. The majority had completed primary school and had no real difficulty in
comprehending the Korean Language. There was a high percentage of married people
and, contrary to expectations, the rate of separation and devorce was relatively low.
Among out-patients, there was no one religion with a high number of followers but, in
the case of residents of settlement villages, there was a great number of believers
among those who received help from religious groups.
3. Out-patients had most difficulty in finding work, with the majority employed as
day labourers or else unemployed, and they did not have security in life. On the other
band, the majority of the residents of settlement villages worked at agriculture or
live-stock breeding and, while they did have a secure life-style, the number of those
who borrows money for security was higher than those among out-patients.
4. Among out-patients, 56.6% did not own their own housed and, because of not
wanting to be known as leprosy patients in the area, they tad the added difficulty of
having to move frequently. On the other hand, 97.3% of the residents of settlement
villages owned and lived in their own houses. However, compared to residents of
settlement villages, out-patients had more access to modern facilities and had a better
standard of living conditions,
5. Regarding the psychological effects on first discovering leprosy, 70.2% of
out-patients and 64.5% of residents of settlement villages stated that "I want to die". At
present, 53.2% of out-patients state "I will be faithful in receiving treatment" and show
a strong desire for treatment while 60.8% of the residents of settlement villages showed
"indifference". Instead of being interested in treatment, they were more resigned to their
fate. Among concerns associated with their children, the greatest worry was "the future
prospects for our children" and, in this area, out-patients showed more concern that the
residents of settlement villages.
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