Epidemiological Trends of Leprosy in Fujian Province / 中华皮肤科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objectives To reveal the epidemiological trends of leprosy and the achievements of leprosy control in Fujian Province. Methods In the light of methods of Basic Statistics in Handbook of Leprosy Control written by Ma Hai De, each statistic index was analyzed. Results① The incidence and detection rate decreased from 0.782/10 000 and 1.231/10 000 in the period of 1955～ 1959 to 0.036/10 000 in the period of 1990～ 1994 and to 0.033/10 000 in the period of 1995～ 1998 respectively;② prevalence dropped from the highest of 0.65‰ in 1959 to 0.007‰ in 1998;③ with the elapse of time, the average age at onset showed a shift to advance age group, and incidence of leprosy in children decreased dramatically;④ the ratio of MB to PB was higher in early period and in late period than that in middle period, and the male ratio of MB to PB was always higher than female ratio;⑤ the average disease duration reduced, and the disability rate of new cases decreased. Conclusion Through the comprehensive measures against leprosy, the endemic of this disease in Fujian Province has been evidently under control.