Evolution of the leprosy endemicity in Burundi during the years 1981-88.

Between 1981 and 1988 the detection rate of leprosy in Burundi increased from 2.4 per 100,000 during 1981-84 to 3.09 per 100,000 during 1985-88. The proportion of multibacillary disease remained constant at 30%. The detection rate in children decreased significantly from 21 to 9% for paucibacillary disease (PB) but remained constant for multibacillary disease (MB). The proportion of patients with disabilities doubled in both PB and MB patients. It seems thus that the detection rate is high but that cases are diagnosed fairly late. Health education of the public and staff in the Health Centers should stress the importance of better and earlier detection.