Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences Epidemiology and Health System Journal 2980-7891 13 1 2026 06 29 Leprosy Self-Care Health Management: A Quasi-Experimental Study for Assessing the Quality of Life and Stigma in People Affected by Leprosy in Rural Areas, Indonesia 22 34 10.34172/ehsj.26513 EN Tantut Susanto https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9685-9869 Niken Asih Laras Ati https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6006-2313 Hanny Rasni https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3940-9068 Latifa Aini Susumaningrum https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0619-7700 Fahruddin Kurdi https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3565-2637 Dhimas Rizky Handoko https://orcid.org/0009-0009-4901-0916 Kim Lam Soh https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2404-828X Journal Article 10.34172/ehsj.26513 2025 06 09 2026 01 26 Introduction: Leprosy is a neglected tropical disease that poses serious health challenges in Indonesia, necessitating comprehensive interventions to improve outcomes and quality of life (QoL). Accordingly, this research aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of leprosy self-care health management on the QoL and stigma of people affected by leprosy in the rural areas of Indonesia. Methods: A quasi-experimental study with a control-group design was conducted, involving people affected by leprosy selected to receive the intervention (n=46) and a control group (n=45). Participants in the intervention group received two sessions of health education activities on leprosy self-care and health management over one month. The outcome measures included the QoL, social stigma and social distance, the dermatology life quality index, exercise of self-care agency, and knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to leprosy. Results: The independent T-test revealed the significant effect of leprosy self-care health management on the QoL (P=0.001). There was a significant difference in mean self-care scores among individuals affected by leprosy between the intervention and control groups (P=0.030). The intervention group also demonstrated considerable effects on community stigma (P=0.026), social distancing (P=0.001), and knowledge, attitude, and practices related to leprosy among individuals influenced by leprosy (P=0.001) before and after the intervention. Conclusion: Our findings confirmed the benefits of self-care health management for persons affected by leprosy, emphasizing their role in improving QoL and self-care abilities.