[Leprosy in Guatemala 1982]

Leprosy is an endemic disease in Guatemala. The author presents a brief account of the Leprosy situation, from the year of 1527 to January first, 1982. During the early years of the Guatemala's colonial epoch, Leprosy was also named "Lazarus illness". From the years of 1530 to 1874, the leprosy patients, were successively attended in the following hospitals: 1) "The Mercy Hospital" in 1530; 2) "The Saint Lazarus Hospital" in 1638; 3) "The Piety Asylum" in 1874; and 4) "The Ramiro Galvez Leprosarium" in 1972. In 1973, was founded the "Guatemala Leprosy Patronage" and also, it created the the INSTITUTE OF DERMATOLOGY, also named INDERMA. From January first of 1973 to January first of 1982, INDERMA taked care and and treated, in its Guatemala city hospital and out patients clinics, the following cases: I. Patients with diseases of the skin, 79,241, II. New leprosy patients plus periodical consults (every 3 months) of old and known leprosy patients, during 9 consecutive years, 3,685, III. Clinical controls and consults of suspicious contacts, 6,188, IV. The INDERMA's rural anti leprosy campaign and their mobil units, take care and clinically examined healthy persons, 12,096, Among this group, were discovered 137 new leprosy patients. The total amount of INDERMA's health services, til I/82, 101,206. The rural anti leprosy campaign, has confirmed that the north oriental zone is the endemic area of Guatemala (Photo 7). Until today (I/1982) there are 410 verified cases of Leprosy in Guatemala. Among them, the predominant leprosy type, is the lepromatous one, with 49,04%. 62,43% of the leprosy patients are male. Of the age group, the 30 to 39 year old, predominates with 19,24%. The prevalence and density leprosy index, were verified only in the endemic zone with 24 257 square kilometers and 0,564% and 1 441 290 population = 0,345%. Actually, as the endemic leprosy area is controlled, INDERMA has continued the study and care of the leprosy patients in the rest of the Guatemala republic.