01777nas a2200217   4500000000100000008004100001653002300042653002500065653003200090653002300122653001200145100001400157700001600171700001600187700001300203245006700216856005400283300001200337050001700349520119300366       2013                            d10aSub-Saharan Africa10aMycobacterium leprae10aMultibacillary (MB) leprosy10aMathematical model10aleprosy1 aChiyaka E1 aMuyendesi T1 aNyamugure P1 aMutasa F00aTheoretical assessment of the transmission dynamics of leprosy  uhttp://file.scirp.org/pdf/AM_2013022710430849.pdf  a387-401  aCHIYAKA 20133 a<p>Leprosy is a communicable disease which can cause hideous deformities to the afflicted and social stigmatization to them and their families. The continued high endemicity of leprosy in pockets of Sub-Saharan Africa is a source of bafflement to researchers. In this paper, we investigate non-compliant behavior by patients on treatment and possible inadequacy of the prescribed treatments as the reason for the persistence of the disease in the region. We construct theoretical, deterministic mathematical models of the transmission dynamics of leprosy. These models are modified to encapsulate non-compliance and inadequate treatment. The models are then analyzed to gain insight into the qualitative features of the equilibrium states, which enable us to determine the basic reproduction number. We also employ analytical and numerical techniques to investigate the impact of non-compliance and inadequate treatment on the transmission dynamics of the disease. Our results show that, as long as there is treatment, leprosy will eventually be eliminated from the region and that the disposition under investigation only serves to slow the rate at which the disease is eradicated.</p>