TY - JOUR
KW - Epidemiological trends
KW - retrospective analysis
KW - Sudan
KW - leprosy
AU - Siddig EE
AU - Azhary A
AU - Ahmed M
AU - Muvunyi CM
AB - <p><strong>Introduction</strong></p>

<p>This study assesses the epidemiological trend of leprosy in Sudan from 2017 to 2020.</p>

<p><strong>Methods</strong></p>

<p>A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted for a period of four years per state using national surveillance data. Variables included case counts across 16 states. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 20.</p>

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

<p>From 2017 to 2020, 2,174 leprosy cases were reported in Sudan. Cases were predominantly male (55.5%) and individuals aged 45–64 years (30.6%). Geographically, the highest caseload was in Gedaref (15.9%) and West Kordofan (15.8%) states. A significant decline in new cases was observed, from 845 in 2017 to 242 in 2020.</p>

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

<p>Leprosy remains a public health threat in Sudan, with a specific geographic distribution. While the declining trend in new cases is encouraging, the persistent case load, particularly among older adults and in high-burden states, underscores the need for sustained control efforts.</p>

BT - Frontiers in Tropical Diseases
DA - 04/2026
DO - 10.3389/fitd.2026.1793089
LA - ENG
M3 - Article 
N2 - <p><strong>Introduction</strong></p>

<p>This study assesses the epidemiological trend of leprosy in Sudan from 2017 to 2020.</p>

<p><strong>Methods</strong></p>

<p>A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted for a period of four years per state using national surveillance data. Variables included case counts across 16 states. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 20.</p>

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

<p>From 2017 to 2020, 2,174 leprosy cases were reported in Sudan. Cases were predominantly male (55.5%) and individuals aged 45–64 years (30.6%). Geographically, the highest caseload was in Gedaref (15.9%) and West Kordofan (15.8%) states. A significant decline in new cases was observed, from 845 in 2017 to 242 in 2020.</p>

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

<p>Leprosy remains a public health threat in Sudan, with a specific geographic distribution. While the declining trend in new cases is encouraging, the persistent case load, particularly among older adults and in high-burden states, underscores the need for sustained control efforts.</p>

PB - Frontiers Media SA
PY - 2026
SP - 1 
EP -  4
T2 - Frontiers in Tropical Diseases
TI - Epidemiological trend of leprosy in Sudan, 2017-2020: a retrospective national analysis
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/tropical-diseases/articles/10.3389/fitd.2026.1793089/pdf
VL - 7
SN - 2673-7515
ER -