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AN ASSESSMENT OF THE REPORTED IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON LEPROSY SERVICES USING AN ONLINE SURVEY OF PRACTITIONERS IN LEPROSY REFERRAL CENTRES
Serviços de saúde
Hanseníase
Pandemia
Centros de referência em Hanseníase
Doenças tropicais negligenciadas
Health services
Leprosy
Pandemic
Leprosy referral centres
Neglected tropical diseases
Author
Affilliation
Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. London, UK.
Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. London, UK / Department of Dermatology, ALERT Center. Addis Ababa. Ethiopia
Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. London, UK.
Lepra, UK.
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Hanseníase. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
Leprosy Mission Trust India. New Delhi, India.
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Hanseníase. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
Department of Medicine, Leprosy Mission International. Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Bombay Leprosy Project. Mumbai, India.
Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Airlangga, Dr Soetomo Teaching Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia
Department of Dermatology and Mycobacterial Research Laboratories, Leprosy Mission Nepal, Anandaban Hospital. Kathmandu, Nepal.
Department of Dermatology and Mycobacterial Research Laboratories, Leprosy Mission Nepal, Anandaban Hospital. Kathmandu, Nepal.
Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. London, UK.
Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. London, UK.
on behalf of the Erythema Nodosum Leprosum International Study Group
Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. London, UK / Department of Dermatology, ALERT Center. Addis Ababa. Ethiopia
Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. London, UK.
Lepra, UK.
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Hanseníase. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
Leprosy Mission Trust India. New Delhi, India.
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Hanseníase. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
Department of Medicine, Leprosy Mission International. Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Bombay Leprosy Project. Mumbai, India.
Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Airlangga, Dr Soetomo Teaching Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia
Department of Dermatology and Mycobacterial Research Laboratories, Leprosy Mission Nepal, Anandaban Hospital. Kathmandu, Nepal.
Department of Dermatology and Mycobacterial Research Laboratories, Leprosy Mission Nepal, Anandaban Hospital. Kathmandu, Nepal.
Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. London, UK.
Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. London, UK.
on behalf of the Erythema Nodosum Leprosum International Study Group
Abstract
Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to governments implementing a variety
of public health measures to control transmission and has affected health services. Leprosy is a communicable
neglected tropical disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae and is an important health problem in lowand
middle-income countries. The natural history of leprosy means that affected individuals need long-term
follow-up. The measures recommended to reduce transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus
2 (SARS-CoV-2) can create barriers to health services.We evaluated the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic
response on leprosy services and disease management.
Methods:We conducted a cross-sectional online survey with healthcare professionals in leprosy referral centres.
Results: Eighty percent of leprosy diagnostic services were reduced. All respondents reported that multidrug
therapy (MDT) was available but two reported a reduced stock. Clinicians used alternative strategies such as
telephone consultations to maintain contact with patients. However, patients were not able to travel to the
referral centres.
Discussion: This study highlights the effects of the initial phase of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on leprosy services
in a range of leprosy-endemic countries. Many services remained open, providing leprosy diagnosis, MDT and
leprosy reaction medications. Centres developed innovative measures to counter the negative impacts of the
COVID-19 pandemic.
Keywords in Portuguese
COVID-19Serviços de saúde
Hanseníase
Pandemia
Centros de referência em Hanseníase
Doenças tropicais negligenciadas
Keywords
COVID-19Health services
Leprosy
Pandemic
Leprosy referral centres
Neglected tropical diseases
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