Abstract
INTRODUCTION : Despite achieving prevalence rate of <1 case per 10,000 population, the incidence rate of leprosy in Tawau is still remain s higher than target of <1 case per 100,000 population. Most of cases were imported cases in form of migrant workers. The surveillance data suggested under detection of cases, as majority of these cases detected through passive case detection. The aim of this study is to actively detect symptomatic leprosy among estate workers and th eir family at Kalumpang Estate in Tawau , Sabah . This study also seeks knowledge and attitude towards leprosy among the participants. METHODOLOGY : A one - day awareness and screening programme wa s conducted at Kalumpan g Estate in February 2020. Leprosy awareness and health education were done in form of public talk, individual consultation, exhibition and distribution of pamphlets. All part icipants were subjected to medical screening using ICF Russia Screening Form. A slit skin s mear (Triple S) was done to any individual with sign or symptom suggestive of leprosy. Any skin lesion suggestive of leprosy will be biopsied. A self-administered questionnaire that sought demographic data, medical history, and knowledge and attitude towards leprosy were given one week prior to the programme. RESULTS: A total of 883 ( 90.8% ) estate workers and their families were screened for symptomatic leprosy. Majority (7 8.5%) of participants were non-Malaysian. 14 individuals (1.6%) had skin lesions suggestive of leprosy. These lesions manifested as reddish excoriation (57.1%) , hypopigmentation (21.4%) , skin nodules (14.3%) and loss of sensation over skin patch (7.2%). However, subsequent Triple S tests were negative. Eight cases (57.1%) had further testing using skin biopsy. All the biopsies failed to show positive finding . Six cases (42.9%) were due for yearly follow up. T he knowledge on and attitude towards leprosy were poor with o nly 30.9% had good knowledge and 28.3% had favourable attitude towards leprosy . DISCUSSION : Despite unable to provide laboratorial diagnosis of leprosy, this study highlighted the possibility of leprosy in Tawau based on clinical findings manifested as skin lesions . This study also demonstrated poor knowledge and attitude towards leprosy among estate workers and their family. Thus, the Tawau Health Office needs to strengthen its leprosy surveillance systems by actively detecting individuals with early signs and symptoms of leprosy. Further training is needed to enhance the skill of performing Triple S and skin biopsy among medical officers and paramedics. Continuous health promotion activities can help to alleviate poor knowle dge and attitude towards leprosy in Tawau.
Links
- https://apcph.cphm.my/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/APCPH2022-O-34.pdf
- https://apcph.cphm.my/events/oral-session-1-ballroom-A/
BibTeX (Download)
@proceedings{APCPH2022-O-34,
title = {Leprosy Screening Among Estate Workers in Tawau, Sabah},
author = {Suzalinna Sulaiman and G. Navindran},
url = {https://apcph.cphm.my/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/APCPH2022-O-34.pdf
https://apcph.cphm.my/events/oral-session-1-ballroom-A/},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-08-01},
urldate = {2022-08-02},
issue = {7},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION : Despite achieving prevalence rate of \<1 case per 10,000 population, the incidence rate of leprosy in Tawau is still remain s higher than target of \<1 case per 100,000 population. Most of cases were imported cases in form of migrant workers. The surveillance data suggested under detection of cases, as majority of these cases detected through passive case detection. The aim of this study is to actively detect symptomatic leprosy among estate workers and th eir family at Kalumpang Estate in Tawau , Sabah . This study also seeks knowledge and attitude towards leprosy among the participants. METHODOLOGY : A one - day awareness and screening programme wa s conducted at Kalumpan g Estate in February 2020. Leprosy awareness and health education were done in form of public talk, individual consultation, exhibition and distribution of pamphlets. All part icipants were subjected to medical screening using ICF Russia Screening Form. A slit skin s mear (Triple S) was done to any individual with sign or symptom suggestive of leprosy. Any skin lesion suggestive of leprosy will be biopsied. A self-administered questionnaire that sought demographic data, medical history, and knowledge and attitude towards leprosy were given one week prior to the programme. RESULTS: A total of 883 ( 90.8% ) estate workers and their families were screened for symptomatic leprosy. Majority (7 8.5%) of participants were non-Malaysian. 14 individuals (1.6%) had skin lesions suggestive of leprosy. These lesions manifested as reddish excoriation (57.1%) , hypopigmentation (21.4%) , skin nodules (14.3%) and loss of sensation over skin patch (7.2%). However, subsequent Triple S tests were negative. Eight cases (57.1%) had further testing using skin biopsy. All the biopsies failed to show positive finding . Six cases (42.9%) were due for yearly follow up. T he knowledge on and attitude towards leprosy were poor with o nly 30.9% had good knowledge and 28.3% had favourable attitude towards leprosy . DISCUSSION : Despite unable to provide laboratorial diagnosis of leprosy, this study highlighted the possibility of leprosy in Tawau based on clinical findings manifested as skin lesions . This study also demonstrated poor knowledge and attitude towards leprosy among estate workers and their family. Thus, the Tawau Health Office needs to strengthen its leprosy surveillance systems by actively detecting individuals with early signs and symptoms of leprosy. Further training is needed to enhance the skill of performing Triple S and skin biopsy among medical officers and paramedics. Continuous health promotion activities can help to alleviate poor knowle dge and attitude towards leprosy in Tawau.},
howpublished = {published online at https://apcph.cphm.my},
note = {Type: ORAL PRESENTATION; Organisation: Hospital Bintulu, Tawau Health Office},
keywords = {Estate Workers, Leprosy, Sabah, screening},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {proceedings}
}