Abstract: Objective: To investigate the epidemiological situation of leprosy in Tibet Autonomous Region from 1965 to 2020, to provide scientific basis for formulating new prevention and control strategies. Methods: Historical and epidemiological data on leprosy prevention and treatment in Tibet from 1965-2020 were collected for descriptive analysis. Results: There were a total of 4135 new leprosy cases in the region from 1965 to 2020, and the annual detection rate decreased from 22.07/100,000 in 1988, the highest annual detection rate, to 0.05/100,000 in 2020. The annual prevalence rate decreased from 6.04/10,000 in 1981, the highest annual prevalence rate, to 0.038/10,000 in 2020. Changdu and Nyingchi accounted for 79.59% of the new cases. The mean age of cases was 29.27 years old. The ratio of male to female was 1.39:1. There were 202 (4.89%) children cases, including 3 case in 2011 to 2020. The type ratio was 1.37:1. The grade 2 disability ratio showed a decreasing trend, which decreased from 20.81% to 15.36%. Conclusion: The prevention of leprosy in Tibet over the past 56 years is generally declining, but there are leprosy cases in children case and patients with grade 2 disability. Early diagnosis and treatment of leprosy need to be strengthen in order to shorten diagnostic delay of and reduce the disability ratio.

Key words: Tibet, leprosy, epidemiological situation