02522nas a2200217   4500000000100000008004100001260001900042653002400061653002500085653001200110100001500122700002100137700001400158700001300172245011400185856005200299300001100351490000700362520192100369022001402290       2026                            d  c06/2026bLepra10atreatment adherence10aincomplete treatment10aleprosy1 aAb Aziz MZ1 aWan Mohammad WMZ1 aGantul VJ1 aMujin SM00aFactors associated with incomplete treatment among leprosy patients in Sabah, Malaysia, between 2012 and 2016  uhttps://leprosyreview.org/article/97/2/20-25085  a1 - 110 v973 a<p><strong>Background</strong></p>

<p>Leprosy remains a public health concern, especially in developing countries. Despite the availability of multidrug therapy (MDT), treatment adherence continues to challenge control programmes. In Malaysia, most new leprosy cases are reported in Sabah, indicating ongoing transmission. The World Health Organization highlights the need to ensure treatment adherence to prevent complications and interrupt transmission.</p>

<p><strong>Objective</strong></p>

<p>To describe the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of leprosy patients in Sabah and identify factors associated with incomplete treatment between 2012 and 2016.</p>

<p><strong>Methodology</strong></p>

<p>A retrospective record review was conducted using secondary data from the Sabah State Health Department. Cases registered between 2012 and 2016 were included if treatment was scheduled to be completed before 1 January 2019.</p>

<p><strong>Results</strong></p>

<p>Of 243 patients, 44 (18.1%) did not complete treatment. Most were of working age (84.4%) and male (73.7%). Over half were non-Malaysians (55.1%), primarily Indonesians (67.2%) and Filipinos (32.8%). Cases were concentrated in the East Coast area of Sabah. Deformity at diagnosis was present in 41.6% of patients. Incomplete treatment was significantly associated with Indonesian nationality (adjusted OR: 4.70; 95% CI: 2.03–10.90;&nbsp;p&nbsp;&lt; 0.001) and absence of deformity at diagnosis (adjusted OR: 0.24; 95% CI: 0.11–0.56;&nbsp;p&nbsp;= 0.001).</p>

<p><strong>Conclusion</strong></p>

<p>Incomplete treatment was significantly associated with foreign nationality, particularly Indonesian, and the absence of deformity at diagnosis. These findings highlight the need for targeted strategies to improve adherence, especially among foreign-born patients and those with milder clinical presentations.</p>
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