Abstract: Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of new leprosy cases detected through returnee medical examinations, other detection methods among migrant populations, and new leprosy cases detected among non-migrant populations in Wenshan Prefecture from 2011 to 2024, and to explore the role of returnee medical examinations in detecting leprosy patients among migrant populations. Methods: Retrospective collection of epidemiological information and clinical data of new leprosy cases detected through returnee medical examinations, other detection methods among migrant populations, and new leprosy cases detected among non-migrant populations in Wenshan Prefecture from 2011 to 2024 was conducted, followed by descriptive analysis. Results: From 2011 to 2024, there were 157 new leprosy cases in the migrant population of Wenshan Prefecture, accounting for 31.34%. Among them, 36 cases (22.93%) were detected through returnee medical examinations, and 121 cases (77.07%) were detected through other methods. The cases detected by returnee medical examinations were mainly male, farmers (including migrant workers), of Miao ethnicity, with education level of junior high school or below. The average age was 25.56±7.91. The type was mainly multibacillary. 50% of the cases were close contacts within leprosy families with blood relations, and 63.89% of the cases were from villages where leprosy patients had been found in the past 10 years. The rate of grade 2 disability and misdiagnosis rate of cases detected by returnee medical examinations were 11.11% and 33.33% respectively, both lower than those detected by other methods in the migrant population (14.88% and 41.32%). Conclusion: Returnee medical examinations promote the early detection of leprosy patients among high-risk migrant populations and reduce the occurrence of disabilities.

Key words: leprosy, migratory population, returnee medical examination