A comparison of three types of targeted, community-based methods aimed at promoting early detection of new leprosy cases in rural parts of three endemic states in India.

ABSTRACT:

Background

India achieved elimination of leprosy nationally in 2005, but since then the number of patients with grade 2 disability at diagnosis increased steadily indicating delay in diagnosis. Therefore, there was a need for public health interventions which can increase case finding in their earlier stage. The objective of this study is to compare the effectiveness of three such community-based interventions; 1) Enhancement of community awareness on leprosy; 2) Education and motivation of "Index" leprosy cases; and 3) Involvement of Non-Formal Health Practitioners (NFHPs) to promote early detection of new cases of leprosy.

Methodology/principal findings

Three community-based interventions were implemented between April 2016 and March 2018, embedded within the National Lepr

SUBMITTER: Govindasamy K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8670664 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature