A linguistic approach to understanding leprosy stigma among Hausa-speaking peoples of Niger

Background Language is one of the most common ways that stigma and prejudice are manifested, and labeling is a key element of the perpetuation of stigma. Objectives This paper examines the labeling of leprosy and of persons affected by the disease within the context of stigma among the Hausa-speaking people of Niger. Methods Data were collected from 69 (30 females) persons with a history of leprosy among 5 communities within the regions of Maradi and Zinder, in Niger. We conducted 9 focus group discussions on language and stigma beginning with the freelisting method to identify terms associated with leprosy, followed by a discussion of the terms’ contextual meaning and effects. Dedoose software was used for the management and analysis of the qualitative data. Results Findings highlight the labels ascribed to leprosy and persons affected, who uses the terms and in what context, the level of stigmatization associated, and patients’ preferred language to reduce stigmatization. Terms identified were stigmatizing based on the degree of visible physical disability (e.g., not being able to walk properly) and/or disfigurement (face, fingers or toes) and their association with beliefs about leprosy’s divine or spiritual origins. Conclusions Our findings provide linguistic and contextual information to inform the development of interventions to address leprosy stigma among Hausa-speaking peoples in Niger and potentially beyond.