The Burden of Leprosy in Cameroon: Fifteen Years into the Post-elimination Era.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cameroon achieved the elimination target of leprosy in 2000, and has maintained this status ever since. However, a number of health districts in the country continue to report significant numbers of leprosy cases. The aim of this study was to assess the burden of leprosy in Cameroon from 2000 to 2014.

Methods

We obtained and analysed using the new leprosy burden concept of analysis, leprosy surveillance data collected between 2000 and 2014 from the National Leprosy Control Programme.

Principal findings

Cameroon achieved leprosy elimination in 2000, registering a prevalence rate of 0.94/10,000 population. The prevalence rate dropped further to reach 0.20/10,000 population (78% reduction) in 2014. Similarly, the new case detection rate dropped from 4.88/100,0

SUBMITTER: Tabah EN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5061420 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature