The objective of this study was to determine the knowledge, beliefs and attitudes regarding leprosy in school students of Jaipur district. A cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2010 to February 2011 on 1199 th students (rural and urban) studying in class 10 and above. The findings of this study showed fair knowledge in students about cause, signs and symptoms of leprosy but less knowledge about prevention and treatment of the disease. Myths and beliefs were more prevalent in rural students as compared to urban ones. Both the groups showed positive attitude toward leprosy with 30-50% students showing neutral approach but negative reaction was more in rural students. In conclusion the study highlights to emphasize on health education in students and improving knowledge to develop positive attitude towards leprosy. Key words : Leprosy, Knowledge, Attitude, Beliefs, School Students http://www.ijl.org.in Original Article Received : 23.05.2011 Revised : 20.11.2012 Accepted : 09.12.2012 Indian J Lepr 2012, 84 : 277-285 © Hind Kusht Nivaran Sangh, New Delhi 1 SK Kanodia, MD, Assistant Professor, Deptt. of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy* 2 AM Dixit, MD, Associate Professor, Deptt. of Preventive and Social Medicine* 3 SR Shukla, MD, Professor & Head, Deptt. of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy* 4 AK Seth, MD, Associate Professor, Deptt. of Psychiatry* 5 V Balothia, MD, Senior Demonstrator, Deptt. of Microbiology** 6 R Gupta, MD, Assistant Professor, Deptt. of Psychiatry* * National Institute of Medical Science and Research, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India ** SMS Medical College, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India Correspondence to: SK Kanodia Email : drskin2@gmail.com A study on knowledge, beliefs and attitude towards leprosy in students of Jaipur, Rajasthan 1 2 3 4 5 6 SK Kanodia , AM Dixit , SR Shukla , AK Seth , V Balothia , R Gupta Introduction Right from biblical times, leprosy has always been portrayed as a highly contagious disease, inflicted as a result of sin. Due to this perception leprosy patients have been stigmatized and isolated from community. The laws of ancient times prohibited contact with those affected by leprosy, punished those who Leprosy is a disease, which affects the psycho- logical, social and spiritual well being of the patients, their family, friends and the community (Fao 1998). married into their families and evicted those with the disease for their past sins (Buhler 1886). From antiquity to modernity, Indian society treated leprosy with respect to customs, laws and cultural attitudes prevalent at that time. A number of cross-sectional studies were conducted before the year 2000 to find out general attitudes towards leprosy in the communities, patients, families of patients and rehabilitation homes in various parts of the world showing negative attitude towards leprosy (Croft