Abstract
Background & Aim: Leprosy a chronic infectious public health challenge is caused by a slowly multiplying acid fast bacillus Mycobacterium leprae. An untreated leprosy-affected person is the only known source of infection. Our aim was to study the trend in the prevalence of leprosy in the health care facility, to compare the leprosy burden in urban and rural field practice area under the health facility, to identify any gaps/loopholes in the implementation of the NLEP and to recommend remedial measures to address the gaps. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted at Community Health Centre Jatni, Khordha, Odisha during the year 2018-19. A pre-designed questionnaire, personal interview with multipurpose health worker male and review of leprosy records of different years was used as study tool. Results: Majority i.e., 78.6% of the leprosy patients were from rural areas. Overall male predominance of the cases was found both in urban & rural areas. More numbers of cases were registered during 2014-15 & 2015-16 which was declined in 2016-17, but again increased in the subsequent years i.e., 2017-18 and 2018-19. 61.8% diagnosed leprosy cases had successfully undergone treatment and got cured and 24.4% of the cases were the defaulters to MDT. Conclusion: Defaulter cases are the major source of continuous transmission of infection in the community. Active surveillance for Leprosy is to be strengthened in both rural and urban areas with special focus on IEC and BCC activities along with proper counseling of the family members with involvement of community people. Keywords: NLEP, MDT, LCDC.
Highlights
Leprosy is a chronic infectious public health challenge which is caused by a slowly multiplying acid fast bacillus, Mycobacterium leprae
Defaulter cases are the major source of continuous transmission of infection in the community
The increase in cases was observed in all WHO regions and the highest prevalence was seen in SEAR, i.e. 0.6 per 10,000 populations
Summary
Leprosy is a chronic infectious public health challenge which is caused by a slowly multiplying acid fast bacillus, Mycobacterium leprae. In spite of the fact that the disease has long incubation period, the time taken for declaration of elimination after attainment of prevalence rate < 1 per[10,000], was too short, which is revealed by the continuous emergence of new cases along with a rise in cases amongst children in India from till date. 1,5 Despite advances in all spheres of medical science, leprosy continues to be a public health challenge in countries like India. The programme is supported by WHO, ILEP, and few other NonGovernmental organizations (NGOs) Due to their efforts, from a prevalence rate of 57.8/10,000 in 1983, India has succeeded with the implementation of MDT in bringing the national prevalence down to “elimination as a public health problem” of less than 1 per 10,000 in December 2005 and even further down to 0.66/10,000 in 2016.
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