[Epidemiologic surveillance in leprosy control programs].

Epidemiological surveillance of leprosy has to be very particular. As a matter of fact, leprosy is a long lasting disease which occurs for preference in developing countries where means of surveillance are said to be rudimentary and of poor reliability. Moreover initial stage of the disease is always undeterminated and its mean duration depends on clinical forms. Epidemiological and operational constraints are closely related together and must be included in an original surveillance program. The incidence rate is infered from the detection rate ratified by rates of: new monomacular cases, new cases with deformities and ratio multibacillary forms/pancibacillary forms. Prevalence rate is a very important operational indicator. Leprosy must be constantly registered and notified by every people in charge of collecting epidemiological data whether this epidemiological collection is exhaustive or selective. (Selectivity based on morbidity or on health centers in charge of surveillance). It is necessary to repeat transversal domiciliary surveys, in order to obtain necessary information for the knowledge of incidence and prevalence rate determinator. This gives also the possibility to correct the incidence and detection rates outside of the area of influence of health centers. Methodology of surveillance depends not only on epidemiological but also on clinical and operational informations (case holding problems). Feedback of results must be decentralized. In this respect, epidemiological surveillance of leprosy appears to be more interesting than its own purpose.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)