Publication: Challenges of Sustaining Elimination Status of Leprosy in Nepal
Date
2019
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Institute of Medicine
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Introduction
The number of leprosy patients is increasing in Nepal even after declaration of elimination in 2010. The objective of this study was to review the status of leprosy after declaration of elimination in Nepal and to identify challenges to sustain elimination.
Methods
This was retrospective study conducted by reviewing the annual data published by Department of Health Services, Ministry of Health, Government of Nepal from 2010 through 2018. In addition, one year hospital based data (2017/18) was retrieved from records of Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Results
The prevalence of leprosy was found to be 0.77/10,000 population in 2010 and 0.99/10,000 in 2018. The numbers of multibacillary (MB) cases (remained more than 50%) outnumbered paucibacillary (PB) cases throughout eight years.
Conclusion
The prevalence of leprosy is gradually increasing in Nepal with more number of multibacillary cases detected in post-elimination era.
Keywords: Leprosy, multibacillary, paucibacillary
Description
1Sudip Parajuli, 1Dinesh B Pokhrel, 2Rabindra Baskota , 3Amod Poudyal, 1Upama Paudel
1Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Maharajgunj Medical Campus, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, Nepal
2Leprosy Control and Disability Management Section, Ministry of Health and Population, Government of Nepal
3Central Department of Public Health, Institute of Medicine, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, Nepal
Keywords
Leprosy, multibacillary, paucibacillary