Trends and Facts of Leprosy Prevalence in Purulia District, West Bengal, India

Background: Leprosy is a stigmatized disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae and has been known to be prevalent in India since antiquity. It is the leading cause permanent and progressive physical disability if not treated earlier. Objective: The aim of this study was to observe the trends and fact of leprosy prevalence in Purulia district, West Bengal. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted using district wise annual new case detection rate (ANCDR), prevalence rate (PR) and district wise proportion of grade 2 deformity published by National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) from 2008 to 2015. Results: A total of 13,023 cases were registered from 2008 to 2015 and 386 people had grade 2 deformity at the time of diagnosis. In 2008, the PR was 3.50/10, 000 population and it was 3.52 in 2015. The ANCDR, 56.3/100, 000 population in 2008 and it was 47.2 in 2015.Conclusion: The Purulia district having a high PR of >3/10,000 population, which is far higher than the national PR (0.69) as on March, 2015. The case load of leprosy was considerably controlled by the programme at the national level, however NLEP is constantly marching towards eradicate the leprosy at the district and block level. Pitchaimani Govindharaj | Sampathkumar Srinivasan"Trends and Facts of Leprosy Prevalence in Purulia District, West Bengal, India" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-2 | Issue-2 , February 2018, URL: http://www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd9460.pdf http://www.ijtsrd.com/medicine/dermatology/9460/trends-and-facts-of-leprosy-prevalence-in-purulia-district-west-bengal-india/pitchaimani-govindharaj