Epidemiological analysis of leprosy in Guangdong province from 2012 to 2021

Abstract

Objective To analyze the epidemiological features of new leprosy cases in Guangdong province from 2012 to 2021 and explore comprehensive prevention and treatment measures. Methods A retrospective descriptive study was carried out to analyze the spatial and temporal distribution, and population distribution of the new leprosy cases in Guangdong province from 2012-2021. Results A total of 639 new cases of leprosy were reported over the 10 years, with an average annual rate of 0.06/100,000 and an average annual prevalence rate of 0.39/100,000. New cases were distributed in 21 cities. Cases in eastern and western Guangdong were mainly local residents(59.62%), while cases in the Pearl River Delta were primarily domestic migrants (40.38%). The proportion of children was 1.26% and males accounted for 64.79%. Over 40% of the new cases were farmers. Multibacillary leprosy and grade 2 deformity accounted for 89.04% and 22.07%, respectively. Conclusions In the past 10 years, the leprosy epidemic in Guangdong province is relatively stable with low prevalence. Cases of delayed diagnosis, domestic migrants and the grade 2 deformity are increasing year by year. Therefore, the prevention and control of leprosy should not be relaxed, and the early detection efforts should be strengthened to consolidate our achievements in the prevention and control of leprosy.

Keywords

• leprosy
• new cases
• epidemiology
• prevention strategy