Abstract: Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of leprosy in Lianyungang City from 2000 to 2019, and to provide reference for formulating prevention and control strategies. Methods: The data of leprosy cases in Lianyungang from 2000 to 2019 were collected and analyzed by descriptive epidemiological method. Results: The average annual prevalence rate was 0.37/10⁵ from 2000 to 2019, and showed a downward trend. Among all counties (districts), the highest annual prevalence rate was 0.55/100,000 in Guanyun county. The maximum age of leprosy cases in the city was 84 years old, the minimum was 19 years old, and the average age was 46.73±13.471 years old. In leprosy patients, the ratio of male to female was 2∶1. The delayed diagnosis delay was more than 12 months, and the risk of grade 2 disabilities in leprosy cases increased by 3.375 times. Conclusion: Lianyungang city is in a low prevalence of leprosy, but the problem of delayed diagnosis is serious, it was still necessary to improve the construction of prevention and control system , and strengthen training and publicity.

Key words: leprosy, epidemiology, characteristics