Abstract

MARTINEZ, Manuel Moisés; ALONSO, Marlene  and  CRUZ, Yoan. Incidence and Trends of Leprosy in the Province of Cienfuegos in a 30-Year Study. Medisur [online]. 2013, vol.11, n.4, pp. 469-475. ISSN 1727-897X.

Background: leprosy is a chronic and communicable disease affecting mankind since its origins and its incidence is very variable. Objective: to determine the incidence of leprosy in the province of Cienfuegos from 1980 through 2009. Methods: a clinical and epidemiological study was conducted involving patients diagnosed with leprosy in the province of Cienfuegos. Incidence was analyzed in each year. Results: incidence was very variable in all years studied; lowest rate occurred in 1993 with 0.3 per 100 000 inhabitants; in 2008 the rate increased to 4 per 100 000 inhabitants. Conclusions: leprosy showed an unstable incidence throughout the study period, with highs and lows. It is important to note that in recent years it has showed an increasing trend.

Keywords : leprosy; incidence; cohort studies; Cuba.

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