01543nas a2200205   4500000000100000008004100001653001400042653001700056653001200073653002100085653002400106100001600130700001900146700001500165700002100180700001400201245008800215520102000303022001401323       2016                            d10aSri Lanka10aRisk Factors10aleprosy10aHousehold survey10aHigh-risk community1 aDabrera TME1 aTillekeratne G1 aFernando N1 aKasturiaratchi K1 aØstbye T00aPrevalence and correlates of leprosy in a high-risk community setting in Sri Lanka.3 a<p>Leprosy is caused by the Mycobacterium leprae bacillus. Pockets of high endemicity remain in a number of countries including Sri Lanka, in spite of the fact that elimination has been achieved at the national level. In 2012, in a village in the Puttlam district, dermatologists reported an increase in individuals with leprosy. This village had been established in the 1990s for people displaced from Northern Sri Lanka during a civil war. A comprehensive household survey was conducted by district health officials from June to July 2012, and all household members present during the survey period were examined for leprosy lesions. Patients with suspected leprosy were referred to a dermatology clinic for clinical or pathological confirmation. The prevalence of leprosy was high (511 per 10 000 population). Household contact with another patient with leprosy increased the risk of leprosy (odds ratio = 6.69; P &lt; .001). Continued vigilance is needed to keep leprosy at bay in high-risk communities.</p>
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