Study on integration of the National Leprosy Eradication Programme into primary health care services: a pilot project

The Central Leprosy Training and Research Institute, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, undertook an interventional study, as a pilot project, on integration of the National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) vertical activities into the PHC system in two selected districts of Visakhapatnam and Krishna of Andhra Pradesh, between September 1997 and March 1999. The objective of the study was to assess the various operational aspects and implications of integrated implementation of the activities of the NLEP through the PHC system. 1,304,163 people (239,142 in the study group and 1,065,020 in the control group) were enrolled in the study. The methodology employed in carrying out the pilot project in the two selected districts is described. MDT was in operation for more than 5 years in these two districts through vertical approach. Prevalence has declined from >50/10000 at the start of MDT to about 3/10000 at the start of the project. During the implementation phase, 1459 new leprosy cases were detected (NCDR 5.39/10000 person-years) and 1458 cases were released from treatment (RFT rate: 93.04%) and towards the end of the project 450 cases were under treatment (PR 1.66/10000). Simple rates, ratios and proportions were used in the analysis of data and results were compared. The interventional study was designed to assess the implications and impact of implementation of NLEP activities through PHC staff. The study design, rationale, data collection, data processing, quality control methods employed in the study project and the results are discussed. The results of the study indicate that integrated implementation of the NLEP by PHC staff is feasible, if proper support is provided.