Prevention of disability in leprosy: the different levels.

Prevention of disability in people affected by leprosy is primarily seen as prevention and management of impairments secondary to nerve function impairment. This article describes four different levels at which appropriate interventions may lead to the overall prevention of disability. These are--prevention of disease, timely diagnosis and adequate treatment of the disease, early recognition and adequate treatment of nerve function impairment and finally, prevention and treatment of secondary impairments due to nerve function loss.