Situación epidemiologica de la lepra en 12 países de América Latina y el Caribe, 1980-1983 / Epidemiological situation of leprosy in 12 countries of Latin América and the Caribbean, 1980-1983

ABSTRACT

This study assesses the epidemiological situation of leprosy in the period between 1980 and 1983 in 12 countries of Latin América and the Caribbean that are representative of the different geographical regions, the total population, and the set of patients with leprosy in the subregion. The countries selected were Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guyana, México, Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela. Given the influence of the general level of health and standard of living in the distribution of leprosy, an attempt was made to determine a criterion to be used in assessing the epidemiological situation of this disease through the joint analysis of specific indicators (prevalence, case-finding, case-finding in children 0 to 14 years of age, and the proportion of deaths from communicable diseases, and proportion of children under 1 years vaccinated with all three doses of DPT). Average values were calculated for each of these indicators for the period considered and the countries were ranked from 0 to 3 (depending on the indicator), with 3 being the least favorable situation vis-a-vis the average. A total score of 5 or lower indicated that leprosy was in regression (Argentina, Costa Rica, Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela); a total of 6 to 10 neant the disease was stationary (Ecuador, Guyana, México, and Paraguay); and a score of 11 or over