title: Patterns of indoor admissions of leprosy patients in pre-MDT and post-MDT era and a role for leprosy referral hospital in leprosy integration programme.
abstract: Analysis of the admission patterns in a leprosy referral hospital during the last 27 years (1966 through 1993) shows a decrease in the number of annual admissions since 1987. While there were 1550 admissions during 1981-1983, only 842 patients were admitted during 1991-1993. There was no great change in the reasons for admission, about 46% for reactions, 37% for ulcers, 5% for neuritis and about 12% for other problems. However, compared to the pre-MDT days, admissions for neuritis have increased. A case is made for the continuation of special leprosy referral hospital even beyond the year 2000 AD, i.e., even after elimination of leprosy as a public health problem.
authors.affiliation: HEO & In-charge Central Laboratory, Hindinagar, Wardha.
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Prabhavalkar
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ansari
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D007918:Leprosy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male