An epidemiological study of leprosy among children in a rural area

Children numbering 2095 residing in 6 leprosy endemic villages of Pondicherry Union Territory were examined for evidence of leprosy by going door to door. The prevalence of leprosy among children was 32.46 per thousand. Sex specific prevalence rates were 29.40 and 35.58 per thousand for boys and girls respectively. Harijan children showed the highest prevalence rate of 53.73 per thousand. Only 25.9 percent gave the history of contact The type specific prevalence rates were found to be 7.63 per thousand for indeterminate leprosy, 23.38/1000 for tuberculoid leprosy and 1.43/1000 for borderline leprosy. Single skin lesion was the commonest presenting symptom and was seen in 67.65 percent of the cases. Leprosy disability rate was 1.47 percent.