Prevalence of leprosy in slums in Bombay including a leprosy colony

Transmission of leprosy which is related directly to the total quantum of infection in the community as a whole is decided by the existence of patients suffering from progressive and infectious forms of leprosy and their movement from place to place. This information is of great importance in cities like Bombay to identify the priority areas as targets towards which control efforts should be directed. In this presentation an attempt has been made to compare the leprosy survey figures from three different situations in the city. Selection is arbitrary, not made on statistical basis. The data of particular importance is from a leprosy colony located in North Bombay representing a hyperendemic situation and a normal slum adjacent to this colony, movement of population between these two colonies being free. Age specific prevalence rates of leprosy after examining more than 80% of population from these colonies are compared with data derived from normal slums situated elsewhere in the city. The figures reveal varying prevalence rates marked by an increasing trend in the prevalence figures, leprosy colony representing the largest pool of infection. These figures indicate that wider statistically planned investigations on similar lines in urban areas may provide epidemiological data useful for planning control measures on a more rational basis.