02545nas a2200205 4500000000100000008004100001260004100042653001200083653000900095653002000104653001400124100001500138700001900153245016400172856026000336300001200596490000600608520170000614022002502314 2025 d bUniversitas Nahdlatul Ulama Surabaya10aLeprosy10aWASH10aUrban and rural10aIndonesia1 aSoleman SR1 aAgusningtyas I00aAnalysis of water, sanitation, and hygiene programs' impact on leprosy incidence in Indonesia: A secondary data analysis from the WHO Global Health Observatory uhttps://www.researchgate.net/publication/395256913_Analysis_of_water_sanitation_and_hygiene_programs'_impact_on_leprosy_incidence_in_Indonesia_A_secondary_data_analysis_from_the_WHO_Global_Health_Observatory/fulltext/68b97019653c451cf4744b6c/Analysis-of-w a141-1500 v93 aDeclining rates of neglected tropical diseases, particularly leprosy, highlight the need for comprehensive policies addressing the incidence of this disease in Indonesia. This study aims to investigate the impact of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programs on the incidence of leprosy in the country's urban and rural areas.Data were collected from the WHO Global Health Observatory using a cross-sectional study design. The independent variables examined included open defecation-free programs, availability of handwashing facilities, and access to basic drinking water and sanitation services. The dependent variable was the incidence of leprosy in urban and rural settings. Data analysis was performed using independent T-tests and Pearson correlation coefficients with SPSS version 23.The findings revealed a significant decline in leprosy incidence in rural and moderately urban areas over a 14-year survey period, reflecting trends similar to those of WASH programs. Overall, WASH programs were found to be correlated with the incidence of leprosy in both urban and rural areas (p<0.001), while the significance of open defecation programs decreased (p=0.46). The Pearson correlation analysis indicated that the availability of handwashing facilities was positively correlated with leprosy incidence (r=0.58, p<0.001). In contrast, basic drinking water (r=-0.62, p<0.001) and basic sanitation services (r=-0.62, p<0.001) showed a negative association with leprosy incidence. In summary, WASH programs are crucial for controlling the spread of leprosy in Indonesia's urban and rural regions.  Keyword: Leprosy, WASH programs, urban and rural, Indonesia a2549-2993, 2549-189X