Assessment of disability among leprosy patients on treatment initiation in kwale and kilifi counties, Kenya

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the disability profile of leprosy patients.

Design: The research employed a cross-sectional approach.

Setting: The study was carried out in Kilifi and Kwale counties

Participants: The study population were leprosy patients who were identified retrospectively from leprosy treatment registers between January 2014 and December 2019.

Interventions: Data was extracted from the treatment registers using a data extraction form. And analyzed using STATA version 13,

Main outcome measures: The main nerves involved were ulnar, radial, and almost all nerves assessed had bilateral, thickening. Anatomically deformities were found in the upper limbs, lower limbs, skin lesions and as secondary injuries.

Results: 81 leprosy patients were assessed for disability on initiation of treatment. Males were (60.4%) and a majority 72(88.8%) of the patients had multibacilliary leprosy. 55were diagnosed with physical disabilities of grade 1,15 (18.5%) and grade-2 40(49.38%). Most affected nerve: ulnar 41(51%), radial 26(32%). Almost nerves had bilateral (left and right) thickening. Anatomically deformities were found in the upper limbs 43(53%), lower limbs 41(50.6%), presenting as skin lesions 37(37%) and as secondary injuries 30(37%).

Conclusion: Several disabilities and deformities were identified on initiation of treatment among the leprosy patients. This suggests that leprosy diagnoses were delayed in this community. A call for interventions to support early diagnosis and in addition efforts to enhance follow-up of patients during the treatment phase and after release from treatment are recommended as this will identify patients who may require rehabilitation care to minimize the effects of disability.