The correlation between contact history and knowledge with incidence of leprosy in Jeneponto district, South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Background: Leprosy is one of neglected tropical diseases, which is caused by Mycobacterium leprae. This disease attacks especially on the skin, peripheral nerves, mucosa of the upper respiratory tract, and eyes. This study aims to analyze the influence of contact history and knowledge on the incidence of leprosy in Jeneponto district.

Methods: This study used observational descriptive research with a case control approach. This research was conducted in the work area of the Health Office in Jeneponto district from January to June 2018. A total of 31 leprosy patients and 31 non lepers were sampled in this study. Statistical analysis of Chi square test was used to determine the relationship between contact history and knowledge with the incidence of leprosy.

Results: The results showed that there was a significant relationship between contact history with the incidence of leprosy (p=0.001<0.05). But knowledge did not have a significant relationship with the incidence of leprosy, (p=0.203> 0.05).

Conclusions: Contact history is a predictive factor for leprosy in Jeneponto. It is expected that the population who has contact with leprosy patients to pay attention to other things that can increase the risk of leprosy.