Abstract: ObjectiveTo investigate the status of social support, self care ability and quality of life among leprosy convalescents in leprosariums and analyze the correlation relativity between the former two and quality of life.MethodsEight leprosariums were randomly selected in Guangdong Province. All convalescents in the selected leprosariums were interviewed using questionnaires, including social support rating scale (SSRS), the exercise of self-care agency(ESCA) and short form 36-item questionnaire (SF-36). The correlation between variables was performed by canonical correlation analysis.ResultsA total of 346 convalescents were investigated，with an average age of（70.9±12.2）years. Of them, 63.87%（221/346） aged 60-80 years, 76.60%（265/346） were male, 60.69%（210/346）were unmarried, 68.20% （236/346）lost their work ability, and 59.70%（203/346） were partially or totally unable to take care of themselves. The scores in social support, self-care ability, and quality of life were 30.45±8.44, 98.95±28.17 (low level 1.45%, middle level 72.25%, high level 26.30%), and 52.35±27.16 (lower than norm,P<0.05), respectively. There were positive correlations between the quality of life and social support (the first canonical correlation coefficient r1=0.584, P<0.05), and self-care ability (the first canonical correlation coefficient r4=0.703, P<0.05).ConclusionLeprosy convalescents in leprosariums had poor quality of life. The governments and the leprosy control institutions at all levels should take measures to improve the convalescents’ social support, self care ability, and quality of life.