Association Between Adherence to Prevention of Disability (POD) and Disability Status Among Leprosy Patients at Kedaung Barat Public Health Center, 2023–2025

Leprosy Patients at Kedaung Barat Public Health Center In 2023-2025

Abstract

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae that can affect the skin, peripheral nerves, eyes, hands, and feet. Nerve damage that is not properly managed may lead to permanent disability and affect patients’ quality of life. One Of the efforts to prevent disability is the disciplined implementation Of Prevention of Disability (POD). This study aimed to determine the relationship between adherence to POD and disability grade among leprosy patients at Kedaung Barat Public Health Center in 2023–2025.This study used an analytical quantitative design with a cross-sectional approach. The subjects were all leprosy patients in the working area of Kedaung Barat Public Health Center from January 2023 to December 2025 who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria, totaling 42 respondents. The sampling technique used was total sampling. Primary data were obtained through a POD adherence questionnaire, while secondary data were obtained from the patients’ POD records. Data were analyzed using univariate and bivariate analyses with the Fisher-exact test. The results showed a significant relationship between POD adherence and the degree of disability among leprosy patients (p-value = 0.003). The Odds Ratio (OR) was 17.18. There is a statistically significant relationship between adherence to the implementation of Prevention of Disability (POD) and the degree of disability among leprosy patients.