About the Book....The present book contains seven chapters. Chapter I deals with Introduction the leprosy. It covers the history of Leprosy, signs and symptoms, stigma, diagnosis prevalence and clinical recognition of leprosy. Importance of the present study is also discussed. Chapter II deals with the review of literature on leprosy in the country and other countries. Research gaps in the earlier studies were also presented. Chapter III deals with the objectives and methodology of the study. Chapter - IV, Socio, Economic and Health profile of the study area is discussed in chapter four. Attempt is made in this chapter to elucidate these issues in the study area of the Vizianagaram District Chapter V presents the pattern of prevalence and eradication of leprosy. An attempt is made in this chapter to analyze the pattern of global leprosy situation, leprosy burden, Indian context of leprosy, leprosy status in the States/UTs, current position of leprosy in Andhra Pradesh and Vizianagaram district, leprosy eradication measures at the global level and the national level. Chapter VI deals with the respondents' perception on knowledge, beliefs and attitude towards leprosy.