Indigenous leprosy in Dera Ghazi Khan Division, Punjab, Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: The study objective was to identify the main foci of leprosy in Southern Punjab and identify the problems precipitating prevalence of disease. METHODS: This was a retrospective study, from 2017 to 2012. A total number of sixty-five cases (n=65) were detected during this period. Snowball sampling technique was used. Every year contact survey was carried out for new case detection and compliance of medication. Family members of patients were examined for any anaesthetic patch or nerve involvement or any deformity. Grading of the deformity, if present, was also done according to WHO criteria. Data analysis was carried out by using SPSS version 18.0. Chi square test was applied and P-value calculated. Snow ball sampling procedure was applied to study the disease burden. RESULTS: In this study, the total number of new leprosy patients detected were sixty-five; female patients were 49 (75.38%) and male patients 16 (24.6%). Prevalence of Pauci- bacillary disease was 50.77%. Maximum number of cases were reported from rural area of Southern Punjab. Main foci of disease were concentrated in tribal areas of Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajan Pur. CONCLUSIONS: Leprosy is still evidenced in tribal areas of Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajan Pur.

Active trachoma among children of District Dera Ghazi Khan, Punjab, Pakistan: A cross sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of trachoma among children of age one month to 15 years. METHODS: Community based cross sectional study was conducted in district Dera Ghazi Khan from January to December 2014. The simple random sampling technique was employed. The total study participants were nine thousand seven hundred and sixteen (n=9716). The age of participants was one month to 15 years and all were residents of district, Dera Ghazi Khan. Data were collected by face to face interview and examination of subjects. Data were analyzed by using SPSS version 20.0. RESULTS: From total 9716 children screened for trachoma, 57.2% were males and 42.8% were females. A total 181 cases of trachoma were detected, out of which 95 were male and 91 female children. The overall prevalence of active trachoma was 1.91%. Female children showed high prevalence of active trachoma (2.18%). Two peak prevalence of disease were noted during winter season. CONCLUSIONS: Active trachoma is a public health problem among children. High prevalence is reported among female subjects. Community awareness programmes are needed for health education especially about facial hygiene.