Monitoring the elimination of leprosy in Brazil

ABSTRACT

A decreasing trend in the prevalence rate of leprosy was reached in Brazil only after the introduction of the World Health Organization multidrug therapy (WHO/MDT) program in 1990. This paper analyzes leprosy morbidity indicators and the prevalence rate, and their utilization in monitoring the progress of leprosy elimination in Brazil. Since these indicators are modified by changes in health service procedures, comparing prevalence rates from different endemic countries or current prevalence rates with old ones from the same endemic region needs careful attention. The current official prevalence rate of 6.72/10,000 inhabitants in Brazil could be considered high when compared with rates from other countries, but it is important to remember that defaulters and patients being treated with old regimens are kept on the active registers in Brazil, while in most other endemic countries they are not.