Leprosy: training of health workers on skin-NTDs

Overview: Leprosy can be suspected or diagnosed at the peripheral health level. Effective treatment exists for individuals diagnosed with leprosy. Treatment of lepra reactions and management of disabilities are in place. Chemoprophylaxis to prevent leprosy for contacts of persons affected by leprosy is also available.

The aim of the course is to provide information about leprosy to increase knowledge and skills of front-line health workers in national programmes to manage this disease and its complications.

Learning objectives: By the end of this course, you should be able to:

• explain the epidemiology of leprosy
• describe how to suspect and refer
• identify how to diagnose and classify leprosy
• explain how to treat leprosy
• describe how to diagnose lepra reactions and manage
• describe how to prevent and manage disabilities du toe leprosy
• explain the self-care (hands, feet, and eyes)
• identify how to take slit skin smear (SSS) and report
• describe the post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) with single dose of rifampicin
• explain the public health interventions to reduce disease burden and essential indicators

Course duration: Approximately two hours.