Article
An assessment of the reported impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on leprosy services using an online survey of practitioners in leprosy referral centres
Registro en:
BARROS, Barbara de et al. An assessment of the reported impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on leprosy services using an online survey of practitioners in leprosy referral centres. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, v.0, p. 1 - 6, 2021.
0035-9203
10.1093/trstmh/trab084
Autor
Barros, Barbara de
Labert, Saba M.
Negera, Edessa
Arquer, Guillermo Robert de
Sales, Anna M.
Darlong, Joydeepa
Dias, Vivianne L. A.
Rozario, Benjamin Jewel
Pai, Vivek V.
Alinda, Medhi Denisa
Listiawan, M. Yulianto
Hagge, Deanna A.
Shah, Mahesh
Lockwood, Diana N. J.
Walker, Stephen L.
Resumen
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.