Indigenous leprosy in Dera Ghazi Khan Division, Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Abstract Objective: The study objective was to identify the main foci of leprosy in Southern Punjab and identify the problems precipitating prevalence of disease. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study, which started from 2017 to 2012. A total number of sixty five cases (n=65) were detected during this study 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 anesthetic patch or nerve involved or any deformity. Grading of the deformity, if present, was also done according to WHO criteria. Data analysis was carried out by using SPSS 18.0 version. Chi square test was applied and P-value calculated. Snow ball sampling procedure was applied to study disease burden, a suitable method to cover less population, time and cost management of study. Results: In this study, the total number of new leprosy patients detected were sixty five; female patients (n=49) were 75.38% and male patients (n=16) were 24.62%. Prevalence of Pauci- bacillary disease was 50.77%. Maximum number of cases was reported from rural area of Southern Punjab. Main foci of disease were concentrated in tribal areas of Dera Ghazi Khan and RajanPur. Conclusion: Leprosy is still evidenced in tribal areas of Dera Ghazi Khan, and Rajan Pur. Keywords: Leprosy, Social Stigma, Tribal Areas. Continuous...