EVALUATION OF THE PROGRAM FOR LEPROSY CON TROL IN COUNTIES OF MATO-GROSSO STATE, BRAZIL

Introduction A retrospective analysis of the Program for Leprosy Contr ol in four counties of Mato Grosso State, on the Brazil-Bolivian front ier, has been undertaken in the present study. Population and Methods The health care service records of all patients registered by the Prog rams for Leprosy Control during the period from the beginning of their activities up to 1990 inclusive were checked. Final analysis was perf ormed by epidemiological and operational indicators for the follow-up of control activities of Leprosy Control, as defined by the World Heal th Organization. Results An inadequate recording of information given by the patient was detected in more than half of all cases. The preval ence of leprosy varied from 15 to 48/10,000, in the period studied. Th e annual detection rate of new cases was 112/100,000 in 1990. Conclusi on The results suggest a high endemicity pattern for leprosy in the re gion. With regard to operational indicators our finding slowed inadequ ate practice regarding all the activities of the program probably wors ened by the poor qualification of the health workers involved in the a ssistance given.