Author(s): Masnona L. Sabdani-Asiri
The purpose of this study was to determine the level of awareness acceptance towards the Department of Health's (DOH) policies, programs, and projects for Post-Hansenites in Sulu. A descriptive exploratory research design was employed. Two hundred (200) Tau'sug respondents were drawn in the Province of Sulu using systematic purposive random sampling. The result showed that respondents were moderately aware of the government policies, programs, and projects on health service for Leprosy in Sulu; likewise, they had a moderate level of acceptance for government health policies, programs, and projects. The result revealed no significant relationship between the level of awareness and acceptance when respondents were categorized by age, gender, civil status, income, and educational attainment. It was observed that the most significant predictor among the demographic characteristics was income. It is recommended that the Department of Health should have a massive information drive and educational campaign on government policies, programs, and projects on health services for Leprosy in Sulu. The DOH should integrate a social program in their treatment scheme to integrate the Post-Hansenites into mainstream society. Both physical and social treatment of leprosy should be a dual function of the DOH in health services, thus treating the whole person and not just the disease itself.