A survey of leprosy impairments and disabilities among patients treated by MDT in Burkina Faso.
Since 1990, Burkina Faso, a West African country, has carried out a national leprosy control program treating with WHO/MDT nearly 12,000 patients between 1990 and 1994. A sample survey of 600 cases among these patients showed that 29.8% were disabled cases. There was a predominance of males, older patients, the multibacillary form of leprosy, and former cases treated with dapsone before MDT. The actual rate increased 8.5% compared to the frequency of disabilities at detection (21.3%). The need for disability care was estimated, respectively, at 24.4% and 5% for primary and secondary grades of disability. These important needs were so great that the authors recommend the planning and initiation of a physical rehabilitation and disability prevention program in this country.
Tiendrebeogo
A
A
Unite Epidemiologie-Formation, Institut Marchoux, Bamako, Mali.
Toure
I
I
Zerbo
P J
PJ
D000328:Adult; D000352:Africa, Northern; D000368:Aged; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007918:Leprosy / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged