Epidemiological profile of leprosy cases at Nazareti Leprosy Center, Tanzania: A retrospective analysis (2000–2024)
7 affiliations
- 1Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, St. Francis University College of Health and Allied Sciences, Ifakara, Morogoro, Tanzania
- 2Research and Training Unit, Department of Research and Innovation, MacWish College of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania
- 3Centre for Reforms, Innovation, Health policies and Implementation Research, Dodoma, Tanzania
- 4Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria
- 5Nazareti Leprosy Center, Ifakara, Morogoro, Tanzania
- 6Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, St. Francis University College of Health and Allied Sciences, Ifakara, Morogoro, Tanzania
- 7Department of Public Health, St. Francis University College of Health and Allied Sciences, Ifakara, Morogoro, Tanzania
Abstract
Introduction: Leprosy, also commonly known as Hansen’s Disease (HD) remains a neglected tropical disease and a public health concern in disease endemic regions of the world. However, significant progress in disease reduction has been achieved in recent years through multidrug therapy programs, implemented by the World Health Organization (WHO). This study assessed the trend and epidemiological profile of HD cases diagnosed at Nazareti Leprosy Center (NLC), Ifakara, Tanzania, over a 25-year period. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using routinely collected clinical records of newly diagnosed HD cases registered at NLC between 2000 and 2024. Data on demographic characteristics, clinical classification of HD, operational categories (paucibacillary and multibacillary), and disability grades of patients at presentation were collected. Poisson regression estimated annual incidence trends as incidence rate ratios (IRRs), while logistic regression assessed changes in leprosy characteristics as odds ratios (ORs), both reported with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: A total of 801 HD cases were recorded, of which males accounted for 67.4% of cases, with the highest proportion occurring among individuals aged 50 + years (33.2%). Multibacillary disease predominated (62.7%), while grade 1 disability (G1D), at diagnosis was more common (52.7%) than G2D. Overall, case notifications increased significantly over time, with an average annual rise of 4.0% (IRR = 1.04; 95% CI: 1.03–1.07; p < 0.001). Significant increases were observed among male individuals aged ≥50 years. Multibacillary HD cases and G1D disability also increased. In contrast, childhood cases (0–14 years) declined significantly during the study period. Conclusions: Leprosy epidemiology in rural Tanzania shows evolving patterns characterized by increasing case detection, a rising burden of multibacillary disease, and disability at diagnosis, versus a decline in childhood cases over time. Intensifying early case detection, community awareness, treatment and surveillance are essential to eliminate HD as a public health concern. Author summary: Although global efforts have reduced the burden of Hansen Disease (leprosy), it was found that the number of people diagnosed at Nazareti Leprosy Center (in rural Tanzania) has steadily increased over time. Most cases occurred in older adults and men, and a large proportion of patients had more advanced forms of the disease at the time of diagnosis. It was also observed that a number of patients had early signs of disability when they first came for care, suggesting delays in seeking or receiving treatment. At the same time, records showed a decline in cases among children, which may indicate some progress in reducing recent transmission. Taken together, the findings show that while control efforts may be having some effect, important challenges remain, particularly delays in diagnosis and ongoing transmission in the community. Enhancing community awareness, encouraging early care-seeking and strengthening local health services are essential steps toward reducing disability and eventually eliminating this disease as a public health problem.
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BibTeX
@article{machangu2026epidemiological,
title = {{Epidemiological profile of leprosy cases at Nazareti Leprosy Center, Tanzania: A retrospective analysis (2000–2024)}},
author = {Robert Machang’u and Jacob N. Kagesyeko and Majani Edward and Wisdom Owoicho Ameh and Lucy Chuwa and Gabriel Upunda and Jovin R. Tibenderana},
journal = {PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0014761},
url = {https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0014761},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Epidemiological profile of leprosy cases at Nazareti Leprosy Center, Tanzania: A retrospective analysis (2000–2024)
AU - Robert Machang’u
AU - Jacob N. Kagesyeko
AU - Majani Edward
AU - Wisdom Owoicho Ameh
AU - Lucy Chuwa
AU - Gabriel Upunda
AU - Jovin R. Tibenderana
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/30
JO - PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
DO - 10.1371/journal.pntd.0014761
UR - https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0014761
AB - Introduction: Leprosy, also commonly known as Hansen’s Disease (HD) remains a neglected tropical disease and a public health concern in disease endemic regions of the world. However, significant progress in disease reduction has been achieved in recent years through multidrug therapy programs, implemented by the World Health Organization (WHO). This study assessed the trend and epidemiological profile of HD cases diagnosed at Nazareti Leprosy Center (NLC), Ifakara, Tanzania, over a 25-year period. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using routinely collected clinical records of newly diagnosed HD cases registered at NLC between 2000 and 2024. Data on demographic characteristics, clinical classification of HD, operational categories (paucibacillary and multibacillary), and disability grades of patients at presentation were collected. Poisson regression estimated annual incidence trends as incidence rate ratios (IRRs), while logistic regression assessed changes in leprosy characteristics as odds ratios (ORs), both reported with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: A total of 801 HD cases were recorded, of which males accounted for 67.4% of cases, with the highest proportion occurring among individuals aged 50 + years (33.2%). Multibacillary disease predominated (62.7%), while grade 1 disability (G1D), at diagnosis was more common (52.7%) than G2D. Overall, case notifications increased significantly over time, with an average annual rise of 4.0% (IRR = 1.04; 95% CI: 1.03–1.07; p < 0.001). Significant increases were observed among male individuals aged ≥50 years. Multibacillary HD cases and G1D disability also increased. In contrast, childhood cases (0–14 years) declined significantly during the study period. Conclusions: Leprosy epidemiology in rural Tanzania shows evolving patterns characterized by increasing case detection, a rising burden of multibacillary disease, and disability at diagnosis, versus a decline in childhood cases over time. Intensifying early case detection, community awareness, treatment and surveillance are essential to eliminate HD as a public health concern. Author summary: Although global efforts have reduced the burden of Hansen Disease (leprosy), it was found that the number of people diagnosed at Nazareti Leprosy Center (in rural Tanzania) has steadily increased over time. Most cases occurred in older adults and men, and a large proportion of patients had more advanced forms of the disease at the time of diagnosis. It was also observed that a number of patients had early signs of disability when they first came for care, suggesting delays in seeking or receiving treatment. At the same time, records showed a decline in cases among children, which may indicate some progress in reducing recent transmission. Taken together, the findings show that while control efforts may be having some effect, important challenges remain, particularly delays in diagnosis and ongoing transmission in the community. Enhancing community awareness, encouraging early care-seeking and strengthening local health services are essential steps toward reducing disability and eventually eliminating this disease as a public health problem.
SN - 1935-2735
ER -