Leprosy Cases in South Konawe Regency Based on Surveillance Data of the South Konawe Regency Health Office, Southeast Sulawesi Province, Indonesia

Abstract

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by the bacterium Microbacterium leprae. Leprosy has become a public health problem in the South Konawe Regency. However, it does not affect death rates directly. It has caused disability, decreased productivity and stigma to the patients. Indonesia is the number 3 country in the world with leprosy cases. This article used data from the Indonesian Health Ministry and the annual report of the Leprosy program by the South Konawe Regency Health Office from 2017 to 2021. The conclusion was that leprosy cases in the South Konawe Regency have reached the elimination stage with prevalence less than 1/10,000 of the population. The majority of leprosy patients were men of productive age (20 years to 60 years). Keywords: Leprosy, South Konawe Regency, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia