[Effect of zinc oxide tape on plantar ulcers in leprosy patients in Indonesia].

In this investigation the effectiveness was studied of adhesive zinc oxide tape, as additional therapy to the usual application of povidone iodine (10%), for leprosy patients with plantar ulcers in Sulawesi Tengah, Indonesia. The effectiveness (degree of wound healing measured as surface reduction) of this experimental therapy was compared with that of the usual therapy alone. At the same time the influence of the physical activity level on the effectiveness of both therapies was studied. During six weeks 38 leprosy patients with simple ulcers were treated with either one of the therapies. The average wound healing of the experimental group and the control group was 388 mm2 (SD 498) and 260 mm2 (SD 260) respectively. Using the t-test, there was no statistically significant difference in wound healing between the two therapies (p = 1.7). The average wound healing of the experimental group with a high and a low activity level was 342 mm2 (SD 226) and 405 mm2 (SD 571) respectively. The average wound healing of the control group with a high and low activity level was 246 mm2 (SD 289) and 275 mm2 (SD 232) respectively. Using analyses of variance, there was no statistically significant influence on the effectiveness of the therapies (p greater than 0.1). Methodological problems possibly influenced on the results. Different problems which may be encountered during research in third world countries are mentioned.