Fluctuating Annual New Leprosy Case Detection and Suboptimal Contact Tracing in Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu, India, 2017-2022: A Cross-sectional Study.

BACKGROUND

In the Tiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu State, Annual new case detection rate (ANCDR remained static and has been above State or National levels since 2011.

OBJECTIVES

In the absence of district-specific analysis for action, we described the distribution of ANCDR by time, place, and person during 2017-2022. Materials and

Methods

Data extracted on age, gender, community, type of leprosy, deformity, and mode of detection of new cases from program registers for fiscal years 2017-2022. ANCDR calculated and computed by type of leprosy, grade 2 deformity (per million), and mode of detection.

RESULTS

During 2017-2022, new 842 cases reported. ANCDR ranged from 7.6 (2017-2018) to 5.5 (2021-2022) and was more in three border sub-districts, rural areas, among tribal population, males and those aged 16-60 years. Multibacillary leprosy was more among rural population, males and 16-60 years age group, whereas, paucibacillary was more in urban, females and <15 years age group. Detection by active search was more in urban, tribals, young children, and females. Self-reporting was predominant among the rural population. Grade 2 deformity (per million) was more in urban, among tribals, 16-60 years age group and males. Detection among case contacts through surveys remained low across years.

CONCLUSION

Five-year district-level NLEP data indicated fluctuating ANCDR, poor detection through contact tracing, and higher rates in males, the 16-60 age group, and rural and tribal populations.