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Incidence of leprosy in Firozabad district (Uttar Pradesh).

Abstract

Objective: To assess incidence of leprosy in Firozabad District (U.P.).

Materials and Methods: A random sample of 148,061 population was covered by this second survey, spread over 259 units (230 rural/29 urban). The survey was conducted between March 2011 and November 2012. Clinically confirmed cases detected in known disease-free population were labeled as incident cases and treated.

Results: The overall incidence rate of leprosy was found to be 3.4 per 10,000 person years; In healthy contacts it was 3.1, in paucibacillary contacts 29.7 while it was 89.3 in multibacillary contacts. The differences in incidence rate of these three groups were significant (P < 0.001). Incidence rate was significantly higher by age; 1.1 in persons <15 years to 8.0 in those >44 years of age, and in high endemicity areas with three or more cases. In terms of incidence rate ratio (95% confidence interval), the incidence for ages 15-24 years was 3.2 times significantly higher than for those under 15 years, 5.3 times (4.3-6.5) in ages 30-44 years and 7.0 times (5.6-8.7) for age ≥45 years. Incidence rate ratio was also significantly higher in paucibacillary contacts, by 9.5 times (7.0-13.0) and 27.7 times (18.8-40.6) in multibacillary contacts, as compared to healthy controls. Incidence rate ratio (95% confidence interval) was significantly higher by 2.9 times (2.4-3.5) in areas with endemicity status of 3 to 5 cases and by 2.0 times (1.6-2.5) in areas with >5 cases as compared to areas with no endemicity. It was 2.4 times more (1.6-3.5) in Narkhi, 2.4 times higher (1.7-3.5) in Tundla and 3.0 times higher (2.1-4.5) in Aravon blocks than in Aeka block of the district. Incidence rate was also found to be significantly higher (3.7) among females, 1.3 times higher (1.1-1.5) than in males (2.9). Incidence rate ratio (95% confidence interval) was also 2.5 times higher (1.2-5.1) among persons having reported disease of greater than 4 years in comparison to 1.5 in persons having disease for 2 to 3 years.

Limitations of Study: None to the best of our knowledge.

Conclusion: The present study suggests that incidence rate of leprosy is significantly higher among persons of above 15 years, in females, among contacts of paucibacillary/multibacillary disease, in areas where >3 leprosy cases were found and in Tundla, Narkhi and Aravon blocks in Firozabad district.

More information

Type
Journal Article
Author
Kumar A
Girdhar A
Chakma JK