Awareness of leprosy in East Seram District community: A cross-sectional study from Maluku Province, Indonesia

Background and Aim: Leprosy, caused by Mycobacterium leprae, remains a significant public health challenge in Indonesia, especially in provinces like Maluku where elimination targets have not been met. Low community awareness and stigma surrounding the disease contribute to delayed diagnosis and hinder effective control efforts. This study assessed the level of awareness about leprosy and its associated factors among residents of East Seram District, Maluku Province. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional household health survey was conducted between September and December 2023, covering 253 respondents aged 18–65 years residing on the mainland of East Seram Island. Data were collected using structured interviews adapted from validated health surveys. The main outcome variable was awareness of leprosy, measured through knowledge-based questions. Respondents were categorized as having high awareness if their score exceeded 76%. Logistic regression analyses were employed to identify factors associated with high awareness. Results: Only 10.3% of respondents demonstrated a high level of awareness about leprosy. Higher odds of awareness were significantly associated with university education (odds ratio [OR] = 57.86; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.75–582.24; p = 0.001), being unmarried (OR = 6.33; 95% CI: 1.56–25.71; p = 0.010), and previous contact with health workers (OR = 6.38; 95% CI: 1.04–39.00; p = 0.045). Respondents with lower educational attainment, those who were married, and those who had never accessed health services were more likely to have low awareness levels. Conclusion: Community awareness of leprosy in East Seram District is alarmingly low. Targeted health education campaigns are imperative, especially among populations with limited formal education, those who are married, and those without prior exposure to healthcare services. Expanding health promotion efforts through community-based strategies and improving access to health workers are essential for enhancing awareness and advancing leprosy control initiatives in Maluku Province. Keywords: awareness, cross-sectional study, health education, Indonesia, leprosy, Maluku, stigma.