Prevalence Trend and Clinical Profile of Leprosy Among the Indigenous Penan Community in Rural Baram, Sarawak, Malaysia: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

In Malaysia, despite achieving leprosy-elimination status in 1994, leprosy remains a public health issue among the indigenous Penan community in Sarawak. This study aims to determine the prevalence trend and clinical profile of leprosy among the Penans in rural Baram, Sarawak, Malaysia. A retrospective records review was conducted on 10-year (2008-2018) time trend of annual prevalence rate and 5-year (2013-2018) Penan leprosy patient clinical profile. Out of the 257 new cases of leprosy reported in Sarawak, 42.8% were Penans, and 72.7% were from Baram. The annual Penan ethnic–specific prevalence rate ranged from 2.08 to 35.5/10 000. Forty-six cases were analyzed for clinical profile: There were more males, active case detection, and multibacillary leprosy. The prevalence trend of leprosy among the Penans in rural Baram exceeds recommended elimination targets. Majority of the cases were detected through active case detection, but cases were detected late. Interventions are needed to improve early diagnosis and detection to achieve elimination of leprosy.