| 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. |
