Some epidemiological observations on leprosy in India

This population sample survey conducted in rural and urban areas of the Agra District in India showed an active leprosy caseload of 60.1/10,000 in the rural and 39.1/10,000 in the urban areas against a targeted prevalence of < 1/10,000. The disease appeared to be widespread since almost 65% of the villages or urban pockets surveyed had at least one prevalent case of leprosy. Significantly larger numbers of leprosy patients were found among males, agricultural/manual workers, persons with no formal schooling, individuals living in unkept households with dirty surroundings, and among those living in dark and poorly ventilated houses. The epidemiological significance of this study reveals the endemic nature of leprosy in Agra and suggests the need to intensify and widen case-detection activities to achieve leprosy control.