Objective
Although elimination of leprosy was achieved in Nepal at national level in 2009, around 3000 new cases are still detected every year and 5% of these cases have Grade 2 disability (G2D). This study aims to describe the geographical distribution of leprosy new case detection (NCD) and G2D from 2010 to 2021 in two leprosy endemic provinces in Nepal.
Methods
We collected the geolocations and leprosy-related data of patients registered from 2010 to 2021 in Provinces 1 and 7. The geographical distribution of NCD and G2D was analysed in Quantum Geographic Information Systems (QGIS) at district, municipality and ward level, and we calculated the trends in Eye Hand Foot (EHF) impairment scores among cases with disabilities.
Results
From 2010 to 2021, a decrease in NCD and G2D cases was identified in Province 1, and an increase in NCD and G2D cases in Province 7. Geographical variations were visible between wards within highly endemic districts in both provinces. The mean EHF score in cases with disability increased from 1.7 in 2017 to 2.5 in 2020 in Province 1 and fluctuated between 2.3 and 4.5 in Province 7.
Conclusions
This study shows that the leprosy problem is still current in Nepal. Geographic variations in case detection and disability indicators are seen best when mapping at ward level. Leprosy programme managers can use the maps to develop long-term strategies at district, municipality or ward level that include intensified active case finding, preventive treatment and disability services, while considering costs and efficient use of resources.
BT - Leprosy Review DO - 10.47276/lr.93.4.348 IS - 4 LA - Eng N2 -Objective
Although elimination of leprosy was achieved in Nepal at national level in 2009, around 3000 new cases are still detected every year and 5% of these cases have Grade 2 disability (G2D). This study aims to describe the geographical distribution of leprosy new case detection (NCD) and G2D from 2010 to 2021 in two leprosy endemic provinces in Nepal.
Methods
We collected the geolocations and leprosy-related data of patients registered from 2010 to 2021 in Provinces 1 and 7. The geographical distribution of NCD and G2D was analysed in Quantum Geographic Information Systems (QGIS) at district, municipality and ward level, and we calculated the trends in Eye Hand Foot (EHF) impairment scores among cases with disabilities.
Results
From 2010 to 2021, a decrease in NCD and G2D cases was identified in Province 1, and an increase in NCD and G2D cases in Province 7. Geographical variations were visible between wards within highly endemic districts in both provinces. The mean EHF score in cases with disability increased from 1.7 in 2017 to 2.5 in 2020 in Province 1 and fluctuated between 2.3 and 4.5 in Province 7.
Conclusions
This study shows that the leprosy problem is still current in Nepal. Geographic variations in case detection and disability indicators are seen best when mapping at ward level. Leprosy programme managers can use the maps to develop long-term strategies at district, municipality or ward level that include intensified active case finding, preventive treatment and disability services, while considering costs and efficient use of resources.
PB - Lepra PY - 2022 SP - 348 EP - 363 T2 - Leprosy Review TI - Trends and geographical variation in leprosy case detection and disability in Nepal, 2010–2021 UR - https://leprosyreview.org/admin/public/api/lepra/website/getDownload/639712f2afaac1541723c595 VL - 93 SN - 2162-8807 ER -