title: Time lag between case registration and commencement of treatment in a leprosy control unit.
abstract: Analysis of client-based data as a part of computerised management information system in a Government leprosy control unit in Tamil Nadu reveals that there was delay in initiating treatment of leprosy patients. The mean and standard deviation of the period of delay for cases registered before, within 6 months and after 6 months of start of MDT in the Unit were 6.80 +/- 6.40, 1.97 +/- 3.60 and 0.90 +/- 2.21 months respectively. Further, the delay was longer in PB, female and child cases. Giving priority to therapy for backlog cases and an effective monitoring system with specific indicator for time lag in starting treatment is indicated.
authors.affiliation: Central Leprosy Teaching and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu.
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Murthy
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Subramanian
authors.forename: B N
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: P N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Neelan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007917:Leprostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007918:Leprosy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D007917:Leprostatic Agents