A descriptive study of leprosy patients from Embilipitiya

According to the national figures, 2l78new cases of leprosy were reported in 2011 of which 25 (1%) were from Embilipitiya area, making it one of the leprosy pockets in Sri Lanka.

A study was done at the Skin Clinic, Embilipitiya, to collect data on leprosy patients' epidemiology, clinical presentation, and treatment and also to assess the patients' knowledge about the disease. The aim was to understand the disease pattern in the area and to identify the obstacles in prevention of transmission of leprosy in Embilipitiya.

Method: Data were collected after informed consent using a questionnaire.

Results: Of the 90 patients, 69 responded. 60% of the patients had a lag period of more than 6 months to seek treatment. All patients had hypopigmented patches at presentation and 55% presented with a single patch. 29% of the patients showed features of a reaction at Presentation. 68% of the patients were on MB treatment. 80% of them did not suspect that they had leprosy while 87% did not know how the disease was caused. However 55% knew that leprosy is a curable disease.

Conclusions: Hypopigmented patches are the commonest presentation of leprosy among the patients in Embilipitiya.

Lack of awareness and late presentation may be the key factors in transmission of leprosy in the area.