Leprosy among tribal population of Chhattisgarh state, India.

Chhattisgarh state is still endemic for leprosy and has a large tribal population. During 2003-2009, a total of 1530 untreated leprosy cases reported to the Leprosy Mission Referral Hospital in Champa, of which 151(9%) were classified as belonging to the scheduled tribes. The characteristics of these new tribal patients are described and compared with other patients and to the demographics of the tribals in the general population of the State. While tribals were accessing the leprosy services similar to the other social groups, the delay in reporting, high BI and other features pose more serious problems in the transmission of leprosy and in management of complications due to the harsh environment and occupational patterns of the tribals. Appropriate strategies and more community based approaches will be necessary if these groups are also targeted for eradication of leprosy.