Clinical Epidemiological Study of New Cases of Leprosy Detected in Urban Areas in Five Years

Abstract

The author has conducted a clinical epidemiological study of total 102 new cases of leprosy detected by Cholburi skin clinic from 1989 - 1993. The results revealed general patterns in terms of sex, age-groups, types of disease and leprae reaction which conformed with the national patterns. However other different patterns of higher deformity-rate and longer duration since onset reflected delayed case detection. Findings of lower proportion of children and higher male indicated partial natural decline of disease since proportion of multibacillary form was still not increasing. Low endemicity was shown by cluster formation due to higher family history. Patterns of clinical pictures at onset and first detection helped more relevant focus during training and health education. The author has also made recommendations of more active interventions accordingly.