A Study of health workers' knowledge and practices regarding leprosy care and control at primary care clinics in the Eerstehoek area of Gert Sibande district in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa

Leprosy is now a rare disease in South Africa. It does still occur, however, and it is an important cause of preventable disability. The low prevalence of leprosy is associated with a fear of the loss of leprosy-specific skills within the healthcare services that could result in considerable delay in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. This study describes public health centre (PHC) workers' knowledge of leprosy, and their practical involvement in leprosy care and control activities at PHC clinics in the Eerstehoek area of Gert Sibrande district in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa, where leprosy still occurs.