Research Article

LEPROSY-RELATED DISABILITY AND PSYCHOSOCIAL WELL-BEING OF LEPROSY-AFFECTED PERSONS AS PERCEIVED BY RESIDENTS IN OYO, OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Isaac Opeyemi OGUNTUNJI1*, Mufutau Tijani OGUNSOLA,1, Joseph Oluwaseyi ADIGUN2, Abel Adeniyi OJO3, Faith Yemioladapo OGUNTUNJI4, Aweda Abdullahi SALAUDEEN5
1 Department of Human Kinetics & Health Education, Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo State
2 Department of Educational Foundation, Federal University of Lafia, Nasarawa, Nasarawa State
3 Primary Health Care Department, Ogbomoso South Local Government Health Authority, Ogbomoso, Oyo State
4 Department of Public Health, Atiba University, Oyo, Oyo State
5 Department of Public Health (Community Health), Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Rivers State
* Corresponding author: droguntunjiio@gmail.com
Published: Jun, 2026
Pages: 35-41
Views: 31
Downloads: 13

Abstract

The study investigated leprosy-related disabilities and psychosocial well-being of leprosy-affected persons asperceived by residents in Oyo, Oyo State, Nigeria. A descriptive research design of the survey type was used. Thepopulation for the study comprised all residents in Ward 8 of Atiba Local Government, Oyo, Oyo State. Avalidated structured questionnaire was used for data gathering. The reliability coefficient of 0.77 was obtainedusing the split-half method and Cronbach’s alpha. All the null hypotheses were tested using Pearson Product-Moment Correlation. The study revealed that leprosy-related disability had a significant correlation withpsychological well-being (r = 0.733, p < .05), social well-being (r = 0.840, p < .05) and marital well-being (r =0.781, p < .05) of leprosy-affected persons as perceived by people in Oyo, Oyo State. It was recommended thatthere is a need for the engagement of health personnel in community mental health education, as this may reducethe psychological distress experienced by affected individuals. There is a need for a community engagementmeeting and sensitisation on positive roles expected from relatives and community members towards leprosyaffectedpersons. Also, there is a need for the engagement of religious and community leaders on ways to stabilisehomes of leprosy–affected persons through dialogues and mutual interactions.

Keywords

Leprosy Disability Psychosocial Well-being Leprosy-affected persons

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How to Cite

OGUNTUNJI, I. O., OGUNSOLA,, M. T., ADIGUN, J. O., OJO, A. A., OGUNTUNJI, F. Y., & SALAUDEEN, A. A. (2026). LEPROSY-RELATED DISABILITY AND PSYCHOSOCIAL WELL-BEING OF LEPROSY-AFFECTED PERSONS AS PERCEIVED BY RESIDENTS IN OYO, OYO STATE, NIGERIA. Journal of Educational Research and Development, 21(1), 35-41.

I. O. OGUNTUNJI, M. T. OGUNSOLA,, J. O. ADIGUN, A. A. OJO, F. Y. OGUNTUNJI, and A. A. SALAUDEEN, "LEPROSY-RELATED DISABILITY AND PSYCHOSOCIAL WELL-BEING OF LEPROSY-AFFECTED PERSONS AS PERCEIVED BY RESIDENTS IN OYO, OYO STATE, NIGERIA," Journal of Educational Research and Development, vol. 21, no. 1, pp. 35-41, June 2026.

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