Abstract: Objective: To understand the delayed diagnosis of new cases of leprosy in Hanzhong City from 2008 to 2024, and to provide a basis for formulating prevention and control measures in the future. Methods: A descriptive epidemiological method was used to analyze the data of newly reported leprosy cases in Hanzhong City from 2008 to 2024, focusing on the age, gender, occupation, detection method, source of infection, type distribution of the cases, and the relationship between diagnostic delay and grade 2 disabilities. Results: A total of 102 new leprosy cases were reported in Hanzhong City from 2008 to 2024, including 47 cases with grade 2 disabilities, with a grade 2 disability rate of 46.08%. From 2008 to 2024, the new case rate decreased from 0.20/10⁵ to 0.06/10⁵, and the prevalence rate decreased from 2.39/10⁵ in 2008 to 0.59/10⁵ in 2024. The average diagnostic delay was 64.50 ± 79.38 months. The grade 2 disability rates for diagnostic delays within 6 months, between 6 and 24 months, and over 24 months were 10%, 39%, and 47% respectively, with statistically significant differences (χ2=56.53, P＜0.001). Conclusion: The leprosy epidemic in Hanzhong City has shown a decreasing trend year by year in recent years and is currently in a state of low endemicity. Diagnostic delay of leprosy is an important factor leading to grade 2 disabilities, and the longer the diagnostic delay, the higher the proportion of grade 2 disabilities. Therefore, strengthening the work of early detection of leprosy is an important means to reduce disabilities.

Key words: leprosy, diagnostic delay, disability