EXPERIENCE OF FAMILY VULNERABILITY AND RESILIENCE AMONG WOMEN AFFECTED BY LEPROSY: IN THE CASE OF KOLFIE KERANIYO SUB CITY WOREDA ONE.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of family vulnerability and resilience among women affected by leprosy and to investigate the risk factors of vulnerability for families living with women withleprosythe study followed a qualitative approach and the research design adopted for this study was descriptive research. To achieve the objective of the study 15 participants were selected. The participants were selected through a purposive sampling. For the purpose of the study open ended questionnaire, were used to obtain both primary and secondary data from KolfieKeraniyo sub city woreda one. In-depth Interview focus group discussion and observation were employed to collect the data and descriptive analysis was used to analyze the data. The findings of the study showed, families lived with leprosy come across loss of sensation, wound, deformity and negative reaction to their disability. They also encountered anxiety and depression. Socially, they have problems of interaction, stigma, discrimination and marital relationship.In conclusion, the mental, financial and social needs of sickness sufferers especially women casualties in kolfiekeraniyo sub city woreda one were comparable to those of sickness sufferers in other sub city. Desires for self-acceptance, social acknowledgment and Individuals with sickness see their life and the way in which they conceptualized the infection is unequivocal variables for their levels of mental wellbeing Participants used different coping mechanisms such as hiding their health status, using traditional treatment, migration, going to spiritual places, institutional support and begging. Hence, stakeholders including the government intervention strategies have to address the welfare of the leprosy affected families.