Trends in New Case Detection and Epidemiological Patterns of Leprosy in Vadodara District, Gujarat: A Three-Year Descriptive Study (2019-2022)

Abstract

Introduction: Despite achieving elimination status at the national level, leprosy continues to exhibit regional disparities in India. Vadodara district reported an annual new case detection rate (ANCDR) of 6.09 per 100,000 population in 2021-22, indicating persistent transmission. This study aimed to analyse the three-year trends (2019-2022) in leprosy case detection and assess epidemiological patterns to inform targeted interventions. Methods: A descriptive temporal trend analysis was conducted using secondary data from the District Leprosy Office, Vadodara. Data were extracted from offline hard-copy registers, digitized into Microsoft Excel, and analysed for the three-year trends (2019-2022) in case detection, demographic distribution, and key leprosy indicators. The study assessed ten administrative blocks within the district. Results: A declining trend in new leprosy cases was observed across most blocks, except Sinor, which reported a continuous increase. Female cases constituted 40.6% of total cases, while 23 child cases (age <15 years) were detected over the study period. Multibacillary (MB) leprosy accounted for 73.42% of adult cases, whereas paucibacillary (PB) cases were more common in children. All leprosy indicators—ANCDR, child proportion, female proportion, MB proportion, and deformity proportion—showed a gradual annual decline. Conclusion: The study highlights a decreasing trend in leprosy cases in Vadodara district, suggesting progress toward elimination. However, persistent regional disparities, particularly in Sinor block, necessitate targeted surveillance and intervention strategies.