Some indices pertaining to the leprosy control programme in Tamil Nadu, based on data from a random sample of fourteen government control units
Nair, N.G.; Radhakrishna, S.; Ramakrishnan, R.; Sreenivas, V.
Indian Journal of Medical Research 93: 208-216
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5340 PMID: 1959948 Document Number: 315535
This article gives a comprehensive account of the Leprosy Control Programme in the State of Tamil Nadu, India, with particular emphasis on (1) the profile of newly diagnosed patients by sex, age, type of leprosy, mode of detection, deformity status and bacteriological status, (2) the treatment commencement rate, (3) the regularity in drug collection and (4) the coverages obtained for contact examination and population surveys. The results, which are described in detail, include 8 tables carrying information from 14 leprosy control units for 1978-81. Whilst acknowledging the progress that has been made, the authors draw attention to 2 disconcerting findings: nearly one-third of the newly detected patients did not even register for treatment at the Government Leprosy Control Unit, and patients were "very irregular" in collecting drugs. In their study, as many as 60% failed to collect drugs for 6 months or more, even in the first year of treatment.A.C. McDougall.