Trends of the leprosy control indicators in Benin from 2006 to 2018

Abstract

Background: Leprosy, or Hansen's disease, is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. The purpose of this study was to describe the epidemiological characteristics of leprosy in Benin from 2006 to 2018. Methods: This descriptive retrospective study included data from January 2006 to December 2018. The data of all patients treated in the leprosy treatment centres (LTCs) of the Republic of Benin were obtained from the LTC registers and analysed using Stata/SE 11.0 software. Quantum GIS (Geographic Information System) version 2.18.23 software was used for mapping. The main indicators of leprosy were calculated according to the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. Results: During the study period, a total of 2785 (annual average of 214) new cases of leprosy were diagnosed. The median age of the patients was 38 years, with extremes ranging from 6 to 88 years. The sex ratio (males/females) was 1.18 (1509/1276). The departments of Plateau, Atacora, and Zou were the most endemic; their leprosy detection rate per 100,000 population during these thirteen years were 6.46 (479/7414297), 5.38 (534/9932880) and 5.19 (526/10134877), respectively. The leprosy detection rate declined from 3.8 to 1.32 per 100,000 inhabitants. The proportion of paediatric cases varied from 8.56 to 2.67% as the proportion of multibacillary forms increased from 72.95 to 90%. From 2006 to 2018, 622 leprosy patients detected had grade 2 disability (G2D) at screening, indicating an average rate of 5.06 (622/122877474) cases with G2D per million population. The proportion of grade 2 disabilities increased from 21.23 to 32% during the study period. The majority of new leprosy cases among foreign-born persons were Nigerian (85.71%). The completion of multidrug therapy (MDT) for paucibacillary (PB) and multibacillary (MB) leprosy cases ranged from 96.36 to 95.65% and from 90.53 to 94.12%, respectively. Conclusion: In Benin, leprosy remains a major health challenge; it is important to revitalize the epidemiological surveillance system to achieve its elimination by 2030.

Leprosy and cutaneous leishmaniasis affecting the same individuals: A retrospective cohort analysis in a hyperendemic area in Brazil

“…In fact, our findings also suggested that adult individuals are more likely to present a second disease. In addition to a greater exposure to CL vectors [ 46 ], this increased risk may be attributed to the higher number of interpersonal contacts and the long incubation period of leprosy [ 12 , 44 , 48 ].…”

Importance of consultations using mobile teams in the screening and treatment of neglected tropical skin diseases in Benin

“…This national health program has established a surveillance system for the detection, notification and management of cases by several diagnosis and treatment centers in each département (an administrative area equivalent to a county) of the country. The epidemiological data from this surveillance system revealed high detection rates of Buruli ulcer and leprosy in the départements of Ouémé and Plateau [ 17 , 18 ]. Based on these observations, consultations using mobile teams (mobile consultations) for the integrated screening of skin diseases, including skin NTDs in particular, were performed in these areas to decrease the burden of morbidity.…”