Chain Of Disease Transmission Research Articles

COVID-19 Surveillance in Workplaces: a Success Story of Surveillance in Migrant Workers in Brunei Darussalam

Background: Migrant workers are at a high risk of exposure to COVID-19 due to their work and residential status. Surveillance for SARS-COV-2 in this group is important for early detection of infection and breaking the chain of disease transmission in the workplace and community. This report describes an enhanced active surveillance strategy for COVID-19 in migrant workers of Brunei Darussalam during the first wave of the outbreak in 2020. Methods: Active and phased surveillance of migrant workers for SARS-CoV-2 was conducted by the Ministry of Health on a total of 9443 workers, in 2020. Surveillance was carried out using a nasopharyngeal swab test for SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR) in phases I and II, whilst a rapid antigen test was used in phase III. Results: Phase I included 7073 workers from 714 workplaces; phase II covered 860 workers from 190 workplaces; and phase III covered 1510 workers. Three positive cases were detected during phase I of the surveillance. No migrant worker was tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 during the second and third phases of surveillance. Conclusion: The number of positive cases detected was small; however, this strategy actively searched for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 among the migrant worker population in the country, and further confirmed the absence of any hidden local transmission of cases in this population.

Penerapan Hand Hygiene Petugas di Ruang Perawatan Stroke

Hand hygiene is one of the breakers of the chain of disease transmission in hospitals, so hand hygiene is very important in room management, especially if it is carried out correctly by officers, especially in special rooms where there are patients who are bedres or partial care to total care such as in stroke care. The purpose of the study was to photograph the Application of Hand Hygiene Officers in the Stroke Treatment Room. The research method is descriptive quantitative research design to see the description of the application of hand hygiene. The sample is an officer who provides services in the stroke care room, the study was conducted in a private hospital in Palembang City, primary data collection was carried out on November 1-03 2021, with a sample of 18 people, the instrument used was an observation sheet, and the sample criteria were in accordance with with the inclusion criteria of officers on duty in the stroke care room. The results showed that there were still officers who had not applied the five moments and 6 steps of washing hands properly. Suggestions for hospital institutions gave policies to room staff in getting used to doing hand hygiene. Meanwhile, health workers must realize the importance of hand hygiene for the patient's recovery process and improve hospital services.

Government Public Health Interventions: Crucial Steps in COVID-19 Pandemic in Iran

In the face of the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, governments worldwide have taken on the immense responsibility of implementing public health interventions to curb the spread of the virus. These interventions, ranging from social distancing to widespread diagnostic testing and vaccination, have played a pivotal role in safeguarding public health and mitigating the impact of this unprecedented crisis.Government intervention in controlling the spread of COVID-19 has been critical. In this respect, governments have showed their commitment to protecting citizens, promoting community well-being, and minimizing the strain on healthcare systems through implementing various measures. These interventions not only have saved many lives but also provided a sense of security and stability during the uncertain pandemic times, considering the unprecedented and invasive waves of infodemics and conspiracies. Various policies and approaches to fight the virus have been adopted in different countries based on cultural, social, economic, and health system conditions. (1,2) The most common and important government actions include public awareness campaigns, (3) prevention measures, (4) contact tracing, (5) diagnostic and treatment interventions, vaccination, and specialized care. In the context of Iran, despite the extensive and severe global sanctions imposed on the country, multifaceted interventions were carried out in the framework of Iran's primary healthcare system within a very short period after the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic. The documentation and dissemination of these interventions can serve as valuable lessons for the present and future health systems. Some of these interventions included educating the community, promoting social distancing, establishing verbal screening structures, contact tracing, identifying and breaking the chain of disease transmission, engaging the public and community in disease control efforts, establishing specialized COVID-19 diagnostic laboratories, expanding nationwide diagnostic testing, setting up designated COVID-19 centers to accept referrals from public and private sectors at the primary level, developing and reviewing diagnostic and treatment protocols for COVID-19, establishing quarantine centers, and implementing general vaccination programs through prioritizing vulnerable and at-risk groups. Despite the remarkable success of the interventions undertaken to combat COVID-19, numerous challenges persist. Public concerns, fueled by the prevalence of infodemics and various rumors, act as a flood that threatens to dismantle the structures, dams of prevention, and public health interventions, eroding trust in healthcare authorities. Moreover, the emergence of different and novel virus strains further exacerbates people's anxieties, demanding increased efforts within the healthcare system. Therefore, it is necessary to enhance communication strategies to ensure public understanding and compliance with preventive measures. Considering the role of scientific research journals in promoting participatory decision-making and disseminating evidence-based information, these journals play a vital role in fostering trust between the public and the healthcare system.(6) Accordingly, the role of local scientific research journals in non-English language speaking countries is vital in the distribution of evidence-based data, clarification of national programs to battle the pandemic, as well as correcting misinformation and rumors among the general public. Considering the mentioned issues, the Depiction of Health journal, as a journal published in Persian language by the Health Services Management Research Center of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, decided to release a special issue in collaboration with the Deputy Minister of Health, Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MOHE), and the Director of Iran's Primary Healthcare Management Network. This special issue covers policies, executive and preventive measures related to COVID-19 in the primary healthcare system based on evidence, government documents, field studies, and performance data conducted in primary healthcare systems during the time frame of 2019-2021. All articles in this special issue have undergone a rigorous peer review process in accordance with the standards set by the journal under the supervision of the journal's editor-in-chief.

Assessing knowledge and self-report intention from COVID-19 symptoms based on the Health Belief Model among international students in Heilongjiang, China: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundA COVID-19 outbreak has been contained in China through effective prevention measures with the collaboration of the citizens. However, there is resistance to self-reported symptoms as required in the international...

Leishmania Vaccines: A Narrative Review on Last Decade Developments

Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne protozoan disease transferred by the sting of a female sandfly. Currently, both cutaneous and visceral forms of leishmaniasis (VL) are observed in Iran. Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is reported in 18 provinces in the country in rural (zoonotic) and urban (anthroponotic) forms. VL is endemic in some areas of Iran. Various drugs are used in the treatment of leishmaniasis, but due to created challenges such as high toxicity, side effects, prolongation, and drug resistance, the process of curing will face problems. The prevention of infection is also costly. One of the best ways to control the disease is to find an effective vaccine. The efficient vaccine will cause long-term immunity and simultaneously breaks the disease transmission chain. This study aimed to review different types of existing vaccines, along with those in trials. It was found that multi anti-gene vaccines created the best immunity against the parasite and could be more successful. Developments in genetic engineering and release systems have raised hope to achieve the vaccines soon.

Plant neighbours can make or break the disease transmission chain of a fungal root pathogen.

Summary Biodiversity can reduce or increase disease transmission. These divergent effects suggest that community composition rather than diversity per se determines disease transmission. In natural plant communities, little is known about the functional roles of neighbouring plant species in belowground disease transmission.Here, we experimentally investigated disease transmission of a fungal root pathogen (Rhizoctonia solani) in two focal plant species in combinations with four neighbour species of two ages. We developed stochastic models to test the relative importance of two transmission‐modifying mechanisms: (1) infected hosts serve as nutrient supply to increase hyphal growth, so that successful disease transmission is self‐reinforcing; and (2) plant resistance increases during plant development.Neighbouring plants either reduced or increased disease transmission in the focal plants. These effects depended on neighbour age, but could not be explained by a simple dichotomy between hosts and nonhost neighbours. Model selection revealed that both transmission‐modifying mechanisms are relevant and that focal host–neighbour interactions changed which mechanisms steered disease transmission rate.Our work shows that neighbour‐induced shifts in the importance of these mechanisms across root networks either make or break disease transmission chains. Understanding how diversity affects disease transmission thus requires integrating interactions between focal and neighbour species and their pathogens.

TINGKAT PENGETAHUAN PERAWAT DENGAN KEPATUHAN PELAKSANAAN HAND HYGIENE DI RUANGAN INTERNA RSUD TOTO KABILA

Hand hygiene is activities to clean hands with alcohol-based soap and water (hand wash) or (hand rub), washing hands also acts as a breaker of disease transmission chain. Nurse hand hygiene behaviour can affect the health of nurses and clients in preventing the transmission of HAIs (Health care associated infection) infection. The objective of research was to determine correlation of nurse knowledge level with the compliance implementation of hand hygiene. The design used quantitative analytic with cross sectional method. The samples were 34 respondents used total sampling technique. The variables researched include the dependent variable is compliance with the implementation of hand hygiene and the independent variable is nurses' knowledge. The method of collecting data used questionnaire with the observation and analysis used chi square test with significance value α=0,05. The result showed there are significance correlations with P value=0,003 which means small than α value=0,05. Concluded there is correlation of nurse knowledge level with the compliance implementation of hand hygiene in interna room of RSUD Toto Kabila.

Requirements for the Implementation of the Covid-19 Vaccine in Karanganyar Surakarta

This study discusses vaccination which is a process in the body, where a person becomes immune or immune to a disease so that if one day he is infected with the disease he will not get sick or only experience mild symptoms of pain, usually by giving the vaccine. Vaccination is not only aimed not only at breaking the chain of disease transmission and stopping the epidemic, but also in the long term to eradicate and even eradicate the disease itself. The research method uses a qualitative approach in obtaining descriptive data with data collection techniques, namely conducting library research. According to data from the Health Office of Karanganyar City, Surakarta, that vaccination is carried out in two stages. For the first stage, the Karanganyar Surakarta City Government received around 30,000 Covid-19 vaccines, which in the first stage prioritized health workers and gradually to the public. In the second stage, the Karanganyar Surakarta City Government received 60,000 Covid-19 vaccines. This second level of vaccination was also addressed to public service officers, including civil servants or commonly called ASN, and other government employees. And as contained in the legislation regarding the procurement of Vaccines and the Implementation of Vaccinations in the Context of Combating the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Community Behaviour in Efforts to Prevent Covid-19 Transmission in The City of Padang

During the Covid-19 pandemic, people are asked to stay at home to break the chain of disease transmission. The purpose of this study was to see an overview of the people’s attitude towards Covid-19 prevention measures in the city of Padang. This descriptive analytic study was carried out in 2020 in the city of Padang. The study included 401 individuals who responded to the google form questionnaire. Data analysis includes univariate analysis. The results showed that community behaviour in efforts to preventing the transmission of Covid-19 was categorized as bad by 48.6% and good by 51.4%. Some community behaviours that are still poor include the habit of shaking hands with other people by 50.9%, being in a crowd when out of the house by 41.6%, and participating in joint activities by 62.6%. The most important strategy at this time for the people is to wash hands and use hand sanitizer every time they interact with others and reduce the interactions with people outside home. For the government, tightening quarantine rules for areas that are still in the red zone of Covid-19 transmission is important.
 Keywords: Covid-19, community behaviours, prevention

COVID-19: timely action to prevent local transmission: a success story from Kannur District, Kerala

Background: The first case of COVID-19 in Kannur district was reported in first week of March, 2020. An elderly female with multiple co-morbidities and confined to house for many years was detected to be positive for SARS-CoV-2 on third week of May, 2020. She neither had relevant travel history nor was a contact of any confirmed COVID-19 case. A special investigation team was assigned to identify the source of infection.Methods: Index case's residential premises and the concerned local Primary Health Centre (PHC) were visited to get an idea about the background details of the index case. The team members participated in focus group discussions for decision making and reviewing steps involved in the process of investigation. Data collection was done mainly through phone interviews using an open- ended questionnaire. Data collected from family members, relatives, neighbours and local leaders were compiled systematically and summarized descriptively to reach a hypothesis.Results: Rigorous contact tracing of index case and appropriate testing of the contacts were done. Interstate truck drivers bringing fish from outside Kerala, who used to deliver fish to the index case’s house were identified as the source of infection. These truck drivers used to deliver fish in the local fish market also. The district administration was immediately alerted and fish market was disinfected and closed which prevented further mushrooming of cases.Conclusions: Early epidemiological investigation for source identification and elucidation of chain of disease transmission is crucial to clamp down the outbreak efficiently.

MANIFESTAÇÃO DERMATOLÓGICA EM PACIENTE COM COVID-19

Introdução: Em dezembro de 2019, surgiu na China o primeiro grupo de pessoas infectadas com o novo coronavírus, SARS-CoV-2, e em 2020 a doença atingiu proporções globais sendo classificada como uma pandemia. As manifestações dermatológicas da infecção por COVID-19 acontecem com uma frequência de 20% em doentes hospitalizados sem história de exposição a medicamentos nas duas semanas anteriores. Objetivo: Relatar manifestações urticariformes em paciente com COVID-19, sugerindo que tais lesões podem ser expressão do polimorfismo clínico dermatológico, apresentado durante a infecção pelo novo coronavírus. Relato de caso: Paciente de 27 anos apresenta quadro clínico inicial com coriza, tosse e fadiga. Evoluiu com anosmia, disgeusia e piora da tosse. No décimo dia de doença, o paciente apresentou lesões ponfosas de distribuição folicular e interfolicular que coalesciam e formavam placas eritematosas, pruriginosas, com duração de aproximadamente 30 minutos e resolução espontânea, localizadas no tronco e membros superiores e inferiores. O diagnóstico foi de urticária aguda relacionada à infecção pelo SARS-CoV2. Conclusão: A Covid-19 apresenta quadro clínico variável, com um amplo espectro de sintomatologia que abrange desde quadros assintomáticos até doença sistêmica grave. As lesões apresentadas pelo paciente já foram relatadas na literatura como sinais relacionados à infecção pelo SARS-CoV-2. É de suma importância a identificação de manifestações dermatológicas, sendo mais um dado relevante para suspeição de infecção, permitindo manejo sintomático e isolamento precoce para interromper a cadeia de transmissão da doença.

ANALISIS FAKTOR SANITASI KAPAL TERHADAP TANDA─TANDA KEBERADAAN TIKUS (Studi pada Kapal Penumpang yang Bersandar di Pelabuhan Kalianget 2019)

Ship sanitation is one of the efforts shown on environmental risk factors in shipbuilding to decide the chain of disease transmission to maintain and enhance health status. This research was conducted to see the relationship between ship sanitation and signs of existence of mice on passenger ships that lean in Kalianget Port in 2019This type of research is descriptive by using a cross sectional approach. The sample in the research was in the form of 4 passenger ships. Data collection through assessment with forms. Vessel sanitation assessment uses a pH meter, Luxmeter, and Hygrometer tool. The instrument used is a vessel sanitation inspection form and examination of signs of the presence of mice on board. The results of this study indicate that ship sanitation with signs of the presence of mice on board a passenger who has no connectionBased on the obstacles faced during the collection of vessel sanitation data and signs of the presence of rats because of the weather during the rainy season so that many ships are not operating. Suggestions that can be given from this study include the existence of research on ship sanitation implementation on signs of the presence of rats on passenger ships that lean. Keywords: Ship Sanitation, Signs of Rat Existence

COVID-19 salivary signature: diagnostic and research opportunities.

The COVID-19 (caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)) epidemic started in Wuhan (Hubei Province, China) in mid-December 2019 and quickly spread across the world as a pandemic. As a key to tracing the disease and to implement strategies aimed at breaking the chain of disease transmission, extensive testing for SARS-CoV-2 was suggested. Although nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swabs are the most commonly used biological samples for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis, they have a number of limitations related to sample collection and healthcare personnel safety. In this context, saliva is emerging as a promising alternative to nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swabs for COVID-19 diagnosis and monitoring. Saliva collection, being a non-invasive approach with possibility for self-collection, circumvents to a great extent the limitations associated with the use of nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swabs. In addition, various salivary biomarkers including the salivary metabolomics offer a high promise to be useful for better understanding of COVID-19 and possibly in the identification of patients with various degrees of severity, including asymptomatic carriers. This review summarises the clinical and scientific basis for the potential use of saliva for COVID-19 diagnosis and disease monitoring. Additionally, we discuss saliva-based biomarkers and their potential clinical and research applications related to COVID-19.

Diagnosis and Management of Leprosy

Background: Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, which tends to attack peripheral nerves and skin. The diagnosis of leprosy is based on the presence of one of three cardinal signs. Early diagnosis of leprosy is critical and is made through clinical examination and investigation. Purpose: To discuss the diagnosis, laboratory examination, and treatment of leprosy, considering that early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are the key elements in breaking the chain of transmission and preventing leprosy patients' disabilities. Review: Leprosy is a chronic granulomatous infectious disease caused by the Mycobacterium leprae. Based on clinical appearance, histopathology findings, and immunological, leprosy is grouped into six forms using the Ridley-Jopling classification, namely Tuberculoid (TT), Borderline Tuberculoid (BT), Borderline-borderline Mid-borderline (BB), Borderline-lepromatous (BL), Subpolar Lepromatous (LLs), and Polar Lepromatous (LLp). Based on the treatment category, leprosy is grouped into paucibacillary (PB) and multibacillary (MB). Leprosy is often diagnosed clinically, and skin scraping smear remains the preferred laboratory method. The negative results of smear skin scraping may not necessarily exclude leprosy. Therefore, a higher sensitivity test might be needed to detect M. leprae. Treatment with Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT) is adjusted based on the type of leprosy, whether it belongs to the PB or MB group. Treatment of PB type, regimens are rifampicin and dapsone, while in MB type, the patients received rifampicin, dapsone, and clofazimine regimens. Conclusion: A proper diagnosis for leprosy, both through physical examination and laboratory examination, is required to determine an effective MDT treatment and break the chain of disease transmission.

A longitudinal study on the association between water storage practices and dengue indices among rural households of Chengalpattu district, Tamil Nadu

Background: The abundance of Aedes mosquitoes which transmits dengue fever fluctuates with unusual rainfall pattern and water storage practices, as it breeds well in artificial collections of water in and around the houses so vector control is the only way to break the chain of disease transmission. This study aims to find out the association between water storage practices and mosquito larval indices.Methods: This was a longitudinal study conducted among 121 households in the rural field practice area of SRM Medical College and Research Centre using a pretested, semi-structured questionnaire along with visual inspection of households for water collection and larval breeding.Results: Total study population in the 121 households was 484 which includes 247 (51%) males and 237 (49%) females. Majority of the study population were illiterates 23.7% or have education upto high school 20.8%, doing semi-skilled/unskilled work 32% belonging to a nuclear family 69.4%. More than half of the households were living in pucca house 50.4% and belongs to class-II socio-economic status 46.3%. Water scarcity and water storage were reported mostly in months between March to June which was significantly associated with presence of larva in the corresponding months (p<0.001).Conclusions: Water storage practices due to water scarcity has a significant association with the larval indices which shows that improper water storage practices can be a breeding place for mosquitoes and aid in transmission of vector borne diseases.

Análise dos Aspectos Epidemiológicos da Malária na região Nordeste do Brasil

Epidemiological studies on the occurrence of malaria are of paramount importance for detecting outbreaks and epidemics, aiming to contribute to greater knowledge and timely control of the disease in different regions of Brazil, since each region has its specific Anopheles fauna. This study aimed to analyze epidemiological aspects of malaria in northeastern Brazil. Cross-sectional, retrospective study with a quantitative and descriptive approach by consulting the database of the Ministry of Health Notification Information System from January 2015 to February 2020. 490 malaria notifications were verified, 377 of which were cases female. A greater number of cases was identified between 20 and 29 years old, totaling 250 diagnosed cases. Regarding color, there were 323 cases of mixed race. The results of this study made it possible to describe the epidemiological profile of malaria in the states of northeastern Brazil, showing that despite the efforts of the Ministry of Health, there are still cases reported without full control of the disease transmission chain.

Connecting clusters of COVID-19: an epidemiological and serological investigation

BackgroundElucidation of the chain of disease transmission and identification of the source of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections are crucial for effective disease containment. We describe an epidemiological investigation that, with use of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) serological assays, established links between three clusters of COVID-19.MethodsIn Singapore, active case-finding and contact tracing were undertaken for all COVID-19 cases. Diagnosis for acute disease was confirmed with RT-PCR testing. When epidemiological information suggested that people might have been nodes of disease transmission but had recovered from illness, SARS-CoV-2 IgG serology testing was used to establish past infection.FindingsThree clusters of COVID-19, comprising 28 locally transmitted cases, were identified in Singapore; these clusters were from two churches (Church A and Church B) and a family gathering. The clusters in Church A and Church B were linked by an individual from Church A (A2), who transmitted SARS-CoV-2 infection to the primary case from Church B (F1) at a family gathering they both attended on Jan 25, 2020. All cases were confirmed by RT-PCR testing because they had active disease, except for A2, who at the time of testing had recovered from their illness and tested negative. This individual was eventually diagnosed with past infection by serological testing. ELISA assays showed an optical density of more than 1·4 for SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein and receptor binding domain antigens in titres up to 1/400, and viral neutralisation was noted in titres up to 1/320.InterpretationDevelopment and application of a serological assay has helped to establish connections between COVID-19 clusters in Singapore. Serological testing can have a crucial role in identifying convalescent cases or people with milder disease who might have been missed by other surveillance methods.FundingNational Research Foundation (Singapore), National Natural Science Foundation (China), and National Medical Research Council (Singapore).

Aerosol transmission risk and comprehensive prevention and control strategy in dental treatments

Splatter, droplet and aerosol, which potentially cause disease via contact and droplets transmission, may be produced during dental treatments. Through the risk model analysis of airborne diseases, it is clarified that the key points of preventing aerosol transmission are infection source management, increasing ventilation, reducing exposure time and correct use of protective masks. In order to reduce the aerosol pollution, it is necessary to strengthen the management of water and air piping systems and the control of splashing. Air and surface disinfection and enhanced personnel protection may reduce the risk. Based on the analysis of infection chain, this article elaborates the role of standard and additional precautions for cutting off the disease transmission chain. Systematic, comprehensive and evidence-based prevention and control measures should become our concerns.

Factors that are Related to The Condition of Passenger Ship Sanitation in Tanjung Perak Port Surabaya

Sanitation is an effort to prevent disease and environmental risk factors that become a chain of disease transmission. Ship sanitation applies to all types of ships both passenger ships and goods from within and outside the country. The purpose of the study was to analyze the factors related to the sanitary conditions of passenger ships at the Port of Tanjung Perak Surabaya, in 2019.
 The type of this research is correlational analytic with cross sectional design. The population is all passenger ships that dock at the port of Tanjung Perak Surabaya, with a total sample of 49 samples. The sampling method is by questionnaire and direct interview with respondents. Statistical tests using the Chi-Square Test.
 The results showed the average passenger ship leaning at the Port of Tanjung Perak Surabaya had a low risk sanitation level of 83.67% and a high level of risk of 16.33%. The relationship between the skipper's leadership style (pvalue = 0,0001), knowledge (pvalue 0.047), leaning time (pvalue = 0,0001), maintenance funds (pvalue = 0,0001), facilities and infrastructure (pvalue = 0,0001) with the level of health risks of the ship. From the results of the study it can be concluded that there is a relationship between the sanitary conditions of the ship and the leadership style of the skipper, the level of knowledge of the crew, the time of the ship berth, maintenance funds, facilities and infrastructure.
 The conclusion is that there is a relationship between the sanitary conditions of the ship and the leadership style of the skipper, the level of knowledge of the crew, the time the ship rests, maintenance funds, facilities and infrastructure. Passenger ships are expected to have good Standard Operating Procedures and are applied in maintaining vessel cleanliness.

Epidemiology and assessment of the physical disabilities and psychosocial disorders in new leprosy patients admitted to a referral hospital in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Objective: Despite intensive campaigns initiated in the 1990s, leprosy remains endemic in Brazil. It is essential that simple and efficient methods of assessing the extent of disease-related disabilities be established so that appropriate treatment and rehabilitation can be provided to patients in order to break the disease transmission chain. Method: The socioeconomic, clinical, and physical/psychosocial disabilities of 56 new leprosy patients admitted to a referral hospital in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, were assessed using available rating scale tools namely, WHO Impairment Grade (IG), Eye-Hand-Foot (EHF) Impairment Sum, Green Pastures Activity Scale (GPAS), Screening of Activity Limitation and Safety Awareness (SALSA), Participation, Jacoby stigma and Hamilton depression scales. Results: Approximately 60% of the patients exhibited Grade 1 or 2 physical disabilities, 46% presented activity limitations and lacked safety awareness, around 30% presented difficulties in social interaction and perceived leprosy-related stigma and about 60% exhibited some degree of depression. Conclusions: Continuation of intensive educational campaigns in schools, administration of proper medical and psychological care to patients with disfigurement/deformities and reevaluation of the role of specialised referral hospitals will be required if leprosy is to be removed from the list of public health diseases in Brazil.