Associated Factors of Mycobacterium Leprae Infection among People with Leprosy in Kwale County.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Leprosy, a chronic bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, is curable yet neglected. Approximately 200,000 new cases are reported globally each year, with India contributing 60%. In 2020, the African WHO regions had a leprosy burden of 14.9 per 1,000,000 population. Despite maintaining the global elimination target of <1/10000 population, Kenya reported a six-fold increase in cases from 2011 to 2021, with Kwale County contributed 24.3%. This study aimed to determine the factors associated with m. leprae infection.

Methods/findings

We conducted a 1:3 case-control study in the Kwale County from June-September, 2023. Case was any person who was diagnosed from any health facility and documented in the Leprosy register, including patients who recently complet

SUBMITTER: Karani V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12677770 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature