TY - JOUR AU - M. S AU - Rao P AU - G. K AB - Religion plays an important role in Indian culture, and greatly influences thinking and behavior around issues of hygiene and health. This study explored the religious texts of six major religions in India, and interviewed key informants, in order to identify religious precepts and proscriptions that may underlie current levels of stigma and social restrictions placed on people affected by leprosy.

The study found a historical basis for leprosy stigma in the scriptures of all six religions. Attitudes are changing, especially with the acceptance of modern treatment. It is essential to incorporate stigma reduction perspectives in religious preaching. BT - Leprosy review DO - 10.47276/lr.91.2.190 IS - 2 LA - eng N2 - Religion plays an important role in Indian culture, and greatly influences thinking and behavior around issues of hygiene and health. This study explored the religious texts of six major religions in India, and interviewed key informants, in order to identify religious precepts and proscriptions that may underlie current levels of stigma and social restrictions placed on people affected by leprosy.

The study found a historical basis for leprosy stigma in the scriptures of all six religions. Attitudes are changing, especially with the acceptance of modern treatment. It is essential to incorporate stigma reduction perspectives in religious preaching. PB - Lepra PY - 2020 SP - 190 EP - 199 T2 - Leprosy review TI - Socio-medical perspectives on leprosy in Indian religions UR - https://leprosyreview.org/article/91/2/19-0090 VL - 91 SN - 2162-8807 ER -