China Journal of Leprosy and Skin Diseases ›› 2022, Vol. 38 ›› Issue (1): 3-7.doi: 10.12144/zgmfskin202201003

• Original Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Study on leprosy prevention and control strategies in low epidemic state  —based on leprosy symptom monitoring by member units of Shandong dermatology departments alliance

WU Xiaoxiao1*, HUAI Pengcheng2*, YE Xing1, ZHU Jiaming1, LIU Yijun2, ZHAO Wei2, CHU Tongsheng2, LIU Dianchang2, LIU Jian2, ZHANG Furen2   

  1. 1 Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250021, China; 2 Shandong Provincial Hospital for Skin Diseases & Shandong Provincial Institute of Dermatology and Venereology, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250022, China *Co-first author
  • Online:2022-01-15 Published:2021-11-01
  • Contact: ZHANG Furen, E-mail: zhangfuren@hotmail.com

PDF (PC)

384

Like

Abstract:

Objective: Leprosy is an important public health issue worldwide. Delay in diagnosis augments the transmission of infection and may also cause irreversible harm such as disability and disfigurement. Early detection, early diagnosis, and early treatment are the main measures to eliminate the hazards of leprosy. In the 21st century, especially in the past ten years, leprosy has turned into a low endemic infectious disease in China. Due to the low cost-benefit ratio, the traditional methods of active detection of leprosy patients, population survey, close contact screening based on the provincial, municipal, and prefectural leprosy control and prevention institutions, are no longer suitable for the needs of leprosy control. Thus, it is urgent to explore new control strategies.

Methods: This study introduced the early detection strategy of leprosy based on the provincial alliance of dermatology departments, which is a horizontal and vertical referral system composed of dermatology department of general hospital and leprosy prevention and control institutions. The dermatology departments of general hospitals were included into the leprosy symptom monitoring system, which made up the shortcomings of the traditional leprosy control and prevention institutions. All the suspected cases were finally diagnosed by the Provincial Institute of Dermatology and Venereology. Results: In the past four years, 3043 suspects were transferred to the Provincial Institute of Dermatology and Venereology through the leprosy symptom monitoring system, 39 cases of leprosy were diagnosed. The delay period of diagnosis and the proportion of grade 2 disability (G2D) decreased by 66.23 months and 38.08%, respectively, and the proportion of G2D decreased by 25.61% compared with that before the implementation of the project. Conclusion: The implementation of the symptom monitoring scheme based on the combination of dermatology department of general hospital and specialized disease prevention and control institutions is an effective strategy for early detection of leprosy patients in the new era.

Key words: leprosy control strategy, symptom monitoring, the alliance of dermatology departments