Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 23, 2026
Optimized Protocols for Mycobacterium leprae Strain Management: Frozen Stock Preservation and Maintenance in Athymic Nude Mice
Published on: March 23, 2014
Children and leprosy in southern Nigeria: burden, challenges and prospects
Insights
Leprosy case notification in Nigerian children declined, but transmission persists. Delays in diagnosis and stigma impact affected children, necessitating improved case-finding and contact management.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Leprosy remains a public health concern, particularly affecting vulnerable populations like children.
- Understanding trends and challenges in pediatric leprosy is crucial for effective control strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze trends in leprosy case notification among children (0-14 years) in Southern Nigeria from 2002-2012.
- To identify challenges faced by children diagnosed with and treated for leprosy.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of leprosy case notification data (2002-2012) in 14 Southern Nigerian states.
- Cross-sectional study involving questionnaire-based interviews with children undergoing leprosy treatment in selected referral centers.
Main Results:
- A decrease in notified pediatric leprosy cases from 110 (2002) to 64 (2012) was observed.
- Significant diagnostic delays (median 36 months) and initial misdiagnoses were common.
- Children with Grade 2 Disability faced educational and social challenges; others coped when the disease was unrecognized by teachers.
Conclusions:
- Despite declining notification rates, ongoing transmission of leprosy among children is evident.
- Long diagnostic delays and stigma remain significant issues.
- School-based activities and enhanced family-contact management are recommended for improved case-finding and reduced delays.
Objectives:
To describe the trend of leprosy case notification among children from 2002 to 2012 in Southern Nigeria. 2. To identify the challenges faced by the children suffering from leprosy.
Design:
A retrospective descriptive desk analysis of leprosy case notification data for children from 0 to 14 years in 14 states in Southern Nigeria. Secondly, a cross sectional study of all children currently undergoing leprosy treatment in three selected clusters (referral centres) in Southern Nigeria. A questionnaire-based interview was used to identify the challenges faced by the children with leprosy.
Results:
Notified cases of leprosy among children in southern Nigeria decreased from 110 cases in 2002 to 64 cases in 2012. The median child proportion and MB proportion were 7.0% and 80.5% respectively. Two children (with WHO Grade 2 Disability) interviewed had great difficulty with their education and social life. Others were able to cope well in school and suffered no discrimination probably because their disease remained undisclosed to and unrecognised by the teachers. The school teachers were reportedly unable to recognise the symptoms/signs of leprosy in seven out of the 10 cases. Eight of the child leprosy cases were initially misdiagnosed at peripheral hospitals. The diagnostic delay ranged from 5 to 48 (with a median of 36) months. Notably, five out of the 10 children interviewed reported a positive household contact history.
Conclusion:
Notwithstanding the decline in leprosy case-notification in southern Nigeria over the past decade, transmission of the infection appears to be on-going as evidenced by the considerable number of child cases. Innovative approaches in case-finding including school-based activities and robust 'family-contact' management are recommended to address long diagnostic delays and lingering stigma.
More Related Videos
09:39DNA Fingerprinting of Mycobacterium leprae Strains Using Variable Number Tandem Repeat VNTR - Fragment Length Analysis FLA
Published on: July 15, 2011
12:22A Parasite Rescue and Transformation Assay for Antileishmanial Screening Against Intracellular Leishmania donovani Amastigotes in THP1 Human Acute Monocytic Leukemia Cell Line
Published on: December 30, 2012
Related Concept Videos
01:31Pulmonary Tuberculosis III
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
01:28Pulmonary Tuberculosis V
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the...
01:31Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
01:28Fungal Phylum Microsporidia