Evaluation of national leprosy eradication programme in Satara District, Maharashtra

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of national leprosy eradication programme (NLEP) in Satara District. A retrospective record based study was conducted in the district leprosy control unit with evaluation indicators like prevalence rate (PR), new case detection rate (NCDR), percentage of cases released from treatment, proportion of female cases among new cases, proportion of multi bacillary (MB) cases among new cases, proportion of grade-2 disability among new cases and proportion of child cases among new cases and trend was analyzed for statistical significance by using Chi-square test. During study period from year March 2003-04 to March 2007-08, there was decrease in PR of leprosy from 2.46/10000 population to 0.62/10000 population, NCDR decreased from 3.46/10000 population to 0.77/10000 population and trend was statistically significant (p<0.001*, P<0.001*) respectively. Declining trend of grade 2 disability among new cases was noted and this was statistically significant (p<0.01*). Proportion of female cases among new cases showed little fluctuation from 43.3% to 47.5% but trend was statistically significant (p<0.03*). Proportion of MB cases among new cases increased from 44.4% to 53.6% while proportion of child cases among new cases decreased from 16.5% to 12% and trend was statistically significant (p <0.001*, p<0.001*) respectively. The NLEP has a favorable impact towards elimination of leprosy in Satara District, Maharashtra.