Indigenous leprosy in Dera Ghazi Khan Division, Punjab, Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: The study objective was to identify the main foci of leprosy in Southern Punjab and identify the problems precipitating prevalence of disease.

METHODS: This was a retrospective study, from 2017 to 2012. A total number of sixty-five cases (n=65) were detected during this period. Snowball sampling technique was used. Every year contact survey was carried out for new case detection and compliance of medication. Family members of patients were examined for any anaesthetic patch or nerve involvement or any deformity. Grading of the deformity, if present, was also done according to WHO criteria. Data analysis was carried out by using SPSS version 18.0. Chi square test was applied and P-value calculated. Snow ball sampling procedure was applied to study the disease burden.

RESULTS: In this study, the total number of new leprosy patients detected were sixty-five; female patients were 49 (75.38%) and male patients 16 (24.6%). Prevalence of Pauci- bacillary disease was 50.77%. Maximum number of cases were reported from rural area of Southern Punjab. Main foci of disease were concentrated in tribal areas of Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajan Pur.

CONCLUSIONS: Leprosy is still evidenced in tribal areas of Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajan Pur.