Case finding survey for leprosy in Botswana

A baseline survey to establish the point prevalence of leprosy was carried out in July and August, 1991 in northern Botswana, where cases of leprosy have existed over the years. A total of 799 contacts of 127 index cases and 8235 school children from 18 schools were clinically screened for leprosy. In all, 44 active cases of leprosy were registered and started on multidrug therapy recommended by World Health Organization. Of these cases, 32% were newly identified during the survey. Due to the moderate outcome, surveillance and control of leprosy has been integrated with existing TB control programme. This is the first time ever a systematic attempt was made to establish a programme for control of leprosy in Botswana.