D S Nsagha1, E A Bamgboye, A B O Oyediran. 1. Department of Public Health and Hygiene, Medicine Programme, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, P.O.Box 63, Buea, Cameroon. dsnsagha@gmail.com
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The WHO targeted to eliminate leprosy from the world as a public health problem by reducing the prevalence to less than 1 case per 10000 population based on the use of multi-drug therapy (MDT). Despite the success of MDT, endemic pools still exist in some countries that have attained the national elimination threshold. OBJECTIVE: Assess the burden of childhood leprosy and control efforts in Essimbiland of Cameroon. METHODS: The records of children patients were reviewed in two main primary health care institutions and 4 primary schools in Essimbiland having 459 pupils were surveyed for leprosy. A purposive sampling of all available registers and pupils was used. RESULTS: A total of 1129 case files were reviewed covering the periods before MDT (1961-1967) implementation in 1982 and post MDT (1982-1999); no records were available from 1968-1991. From chart review, 42 (23.3%) new leprosy cases from 1961-1967 and 35 (12.2%) from 1982-1998 were from the Mbingo leprosarium. 31 (39.7%) of 78 childhood leprosy cases from chart review [1961-1967 and 1982-1999] were from Essimbiland. Of the 35 incident childhood leprosy cases from 1982-1998, 24 (68.6%) were from Essimbiland compared to other divisions. Poor record - keeping on leprosy was common in the study area. Among 459 pupils surveyed in 4 primary schools, 6 (1.3%) new leprosy cases were identified giving a prevalence of 131 per 10,000 pupils. The common skin lesion was on the back but one pupil had both hands clawed. 16 (3.5%) pupils were placed on observation. All the new leprosy cases from the school survey were indigenes of Essimbiland. CONCLUSION: Childhood leprosy is a public health problem in the Essimbiland requiring school surveys and a house-to-house search for new cases.
BACKGROUND: The WHO targeted to eliminate leprosy from the world as a public health problem by reducing the prevalence to less than 1 case per 10000 population based on the use of multi-drug therapy (MDT). Despite the success of MDT, endemic pools still exist in some countries that have attained the national elimination threshold. OBJECTIVE: Assess the burden of childhood leprosy and control efforts in Essimbiland of Cameroon. METHODS: The records of childrenpatients were reviewed in two main primary health care institutions and 4 primary schools in Essimbiland having 459 pupils were surveyed for leprosy. A purposive sampling of all available registers and pupils was used. RESULTS: A total of 1129 case files were reviewed covering the periods before MDT (1961-1967) implementation in 1982 and post MDT (1982-1999); no records were available from 1968-1991. From chart review, 42 (23.3%) new leprosy cases from 1961-1967 and 35 (12.2%) from 1982-1998 were from the Mbingo leprosarium. 31 (39.7%) of 78 childhood leprosy cases from chart review [1961-1967 and 1982-1999] were from Essimbiland. Of the 35 incident childhood leprosy cases from 1982-1998, 24 (68.6%) were from Essimbiland compared to other divisions. Poor record - keeping on leprosy was common in the study area. Among 459 pupils surveyed in 4 primary schools, 6 (1.3%) new leprosy cases were identified giving a prevalence of 131 per 10,000 pupils. The common skin lesion was on the back but one pupil had both hands clawed. 16 (3.5%) pupils were placed on observation. All the new leprosy cases from the school survey were indigenes of Essimbiland. CONCLUSION: Childhood leprosy is a public health problem in the Essimbiland requiring school surveys and a house-to-house search for new cases.
Authors: Kelias P Msyamboza; Leonard R Mawaya; Hudson W Kubwalo; David Ng'oma; Moses Liabunya; Sunganani Manjolo; Pilirani P Msiska; Wilson W Somba Journal: BMC Int Health Hum Rights Date: 2012-08-06