Key sources of strength and resilience for persons receiving services for Hansen’s disease (leprosy) in Porto Velho, Brazil: What can we learn for service development?

Authors: Anna T van’t Noordende, Zoica Bakirtzief da Silva Pereira, Pim Kuipers

Source: International Health

Summary

This qualitative study aimed to explore sources of strength and resilience for persons affected by Hansen’s disease (leprosy) in Brazil. A key finding in this study was the importance of self-care and peer support groups in fostering resilience. Findings suggest that Hansen’s disease services should seek to build resilience in early treatment, possibly by utilising (peer) group counselling.