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Impact of migration on new case detection rates in leprosy in Gudiyatham Taluk, Tamil Nadu, India
Abstract
Migration of persons affected by leprosy was hinted at as early as 1929 (Bhaskara Rao 1930). All new cases of
leprosy in Isfahan Province (Iran) were found to be migrants (Asilian et al 2005). Chudasama (2007) suspected
increase in leprosy cases in Surat district to migration. These suggest migration contributes to new cases. This
study was done to find out 1. Extent of migration among new cases, 2. Characteristics of migrants,
3. Occupational pattern 4.Reasons for migration. 5.Place of origin of migrants 6. Assimilation of migrants into
the society. Trained staff collected information regarding migration using special questionnaire from all 222
new untreated cases from the field area of Community Health department during 2004 to 2008. Migrants
were 10.4%. Distribution of place of residence, age, gender, marital status, education, mode of detection,
Ridley-Jopling and MB/PB classifications of migrants were not significantly different from that of nonmigrants.
Grade 2 deformities were more among migrants. All migrants found occupation. Mostly men
migrated for job and women for joining their husbands. The role of migration in increasing the number of new
cases cannot be minimized. Enhanced efforts should be made to provide adequate medical, health and
rehabilitation services for them also.
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Type
Journal Article