03096nas a2200337   4500000000100000008004100001260003400042653005700076653001700133653002400150653002100174100001600195700001400211700001300225700002300238700001200261700001400273700001100287700001400298700001100312700001300323700001700336700001200353700001100365700001700376700001400393245015400407856010400561520206800665022002502733       2021                            d  bOxford University Press (OUP)10aPublic Health, Environmental and Occupational Health10aParasitology10aInfectious Diseases10aGeneral Medicine1 aDe Barros B1 aLambert S1 aNegera E1 aRobert de Arquer G1 aSales A1 aDarlong J1 aDias V1 aRozario B1 aPai VV1 aAlinda M1 aListiawan MY1 aHagge D1 aShah M1 aLockwood DNJ1 aWalker SL00aAn assessment of the reported impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on leprosy services using an online survey of practitioners in leprosy referral centres  uhttps://academic.oup.com/trstmh/advance-article-pdf/doi/10.1093/trstmh/trab084/38461997/trab084.pdf3 a<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title>
               <jats:sec>
                  <jats:title>Background</jats:title>
                  <jats:p>The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to governments implementing a variety of public health measures to control transmission and has affected health services. Leprosy is a communicable neglected tropical disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae and is an important health problem in low- and middle-income countries. The natural history of leprosy means that affected individuals need long-term follow-up. The measures recommended to reduce transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can create barriers to health services. We evaluated the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic response on leprosy services and disease management.</jats:p>
               </jats:sec>
               <jats:sec>
                  <jats:title>Methods</jats:title>
                  <jats:p>We conducted a cross-sectional online survey with healthcare professionals in leprosy referral centres.</jats:p>
               </jats:sec>
               <jats:sec>
                  <jats:title>Results</jats:title>
                  <jats:p>Eighty percent of leprosy diagnostic services were reduced. All respondents reported that multidrug therapy (MDT) was available but two reported a reduced stock. Clinicians used alternative strategies such as telephone consultations to maintain contact with patients. However, patients were not able to travel to the referral centres.</jats:p>
               </jats:sec>
               <jats:sec>
                  <jats:title>Discussion</jats:title>
                  <jats:p>This study highlights the effects of the initial phase of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on leprosy services in a range of leprosy-endemic countries. Many services remained open, providing leprosy diagnosis, MDT and leprosy reaction medications. Centres developed innovative measures to counter the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.</jats:p>
               </jats:sec>  a0035-9203, 1878-3503