Abstract: Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of leprosy new cases in Hainan Province from 2014 to 2023, providing a basis for future leprosy prevention and control strategies. Methods: The data of leprosy new cases in Hainan Province from 2014 to 2023 were collected through the LEPMIS, and the epidemiological characteristics of leprosy new cases were analyzed using descriptive epidemiological methods. Results: There were 57 leprosy new cases and 2 recurrent cases in Hainan Province from 2014 to 2023. The annual detection rate of leprosy decreased from 0.135/10⁵ to 0.020/10⁵, and the annual prevalence rate decreased from 0.722/10⁵ to 0.250/10⁵. Multibacillary (MB) patients accounted for 80.70% of the total cases. Among the leprosy new cases, 16 cases had grade 2 disabilities, with a disability ratio of 28.07% and an average diagnostic delay of 44.66 months. Early detection accounted for 47.37%, and 44 patients were discovered during dermatology outpatient visits, accounting for 77.19%. The number of new cases showed a sporadic spatial random distribution. Conclusion: The detection rate and prevalence of leprosy in Hainan Province are on a downward trend, indicating a low prevalence state of leprosy. However, there are still new cases, with a relatively long average diagnostic delay and a high proportion of grade 2 disabilities. New cases mainly come from dermatology outpatient clinics.

Key words: leprosy, epidemic characteristics, spatial aggregation, Hainan Province