02574nas a2200277   4500000000100000008004100001260002300042653005700065653001200122653001200134653002900146653002400175653002600199100001100225700001200236700000900248700001100257700001100268700001100279245015000290856009200440300000900532490000700541520173400548022001402282       2023                            d  bFrontiers Media SA10aPublic Health, Environmental and Occupational Health10aleprosy10amigrant10aGrade 2 disability (G2D)10ainfluencing factors10aCross-sectional study1 aChen L1 aZheng D1 aLi M1 aZeng M1 aYang B1 aWang X00aEpidemiology and grade 2 disability of leprosy among migrant and resident patients in Guangdong: an unignorable continued transmission of leprosy  uhttps://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1275010/pdf?isPublishedV2=False  a1-110 v113 a<p><strong>Introduction:&nbsp;</strong>Leprosy remains a major public health concern worldwide and one of the leading causes of disability. New cases of leprosy with grade 2 disability (G2D) often reflect delayed detection due to the limited capacity of the health system to recognize leprosy early. This study aimed to describe the epidemiology and G2D of leprosy among migrant and resident patients with leprosy in Guangdong province, China.</p>

<p><strong>Methods:&nbsp;</strong>Data on newly diagnosed cases of leprosy were collected from the leprosy management information system in China. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to describe the status of G2D. Joinpoint regression model and logistic regression were performed to analyze the temporal trends and influencing factors for G2D.</p>

<p><strong>Results:&nbsp;</strong>The G2D rate among migrant, resident, and total patients with leprosy was 17.5%, 18.7%, and 18.4%, respectively. The total G2D rate increased significantly from 18.0% in 2001 to 25.7% in 2021 (average annual per cent change: 2.5%). Multivariate analysis revealed that factors that negatively influence G2D between migrant and resident patients included delayed discovery time (migrants: OR = 2.57; residents: OR = 4.99) and nerve damage when diagnosed (migrants: OR = 9.40; residents: OR = 21.28).</p>

<p><strong>Discussion:&nbsp;</strong>Our findings indicate that the targeted intervention measures implemented by our health system are urgently needed to improve the current situation, such as programs to promote early detection, strengthen awareness and skills of healthcare workers, and rehabilitation for disabled patients to improve their quality of life.</p>
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