Abstract
There is at present a lack of accurate data on the prevalence of leprosy in the different countries of the world, primarily because case-finding has not reached the desired level in many of them. The authors have attempted to provide more realistic figures, using information obtained from several sources and various criteria for calculating estimated prevalence rates.
In all there are 2 831 775 registered patients and 10 786 000 estimated cases; the latter figure may well be an underestimate. The number of treated patients is about 1 928 000, some 68% of the registered cases and 18% of the estimated. About 2097 million people live in areas with prevalence rates of 0.5 per 1000 or higher; in these areas nearly one million new cases of leprosy can be expected within the next five years.
The estimated number of disabled patients is 3 872 000, of whom 1 961 000 are in disability grades 2-5 (excluding anaesthesia to pain).
The data represent an attempt, made with many reservations, to give an indication of the magnitude of the leprosy problem throughout the world.
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Selected References
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