Prevalence Trend and Clinical Profile of Leprosy Among the Indigenous Penan Community in Rural Baram, Sarawak, Malaysia: A Retrospective Study

Utap, Maurice Steve and Ng, Chirk Jenn and Lee, Yew Kong and Kiyu, Andrew (2024) Prevalence Trend and Clinical Profile of Leprosy Among the Indigenous Penan Community in Rural Baram, Sarawak, Malaysia: A Retrospective Study. Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health, 36 (2-3). pp. 219-224. ISSN 1010-5395, DOI https://doi.org/10.1177/10105395241227507.

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1177/10105395241227507

Abstract

In Malaysia, despite achieving leprosy-elimination status in 1994, leprosy remains a public health issue among the indigenous Penan community in Sarawak. This study aims to determine the prevalence trend and clinical profile of leprosy among the Penans in rural Baram, Sarawak, Malaysia. A retrospective records review was conducted on 10-year (2008-2018) time trend of annual prevalence rate and 5-year (2013-2018) Penan leprosy patient clinical profile. Out of the 257 new cases of leprosy reported in Sarawak, 42.8% were Penans, and 72.7% were from Baram. The annual Penan ethnic-specific prevalence rate ranged from 2.08 to 35.5/10 000. Forty-six cases were analyzed for clinical profile: There were more males, active case detection, and multibacillary leprosy. The prevalence trend of leprosy among the Penans in rural Baram exceeds recommended elimination targets. Majority of the cases were detected through active case detection, but cases were detected late. Interventions are needed to improve early diagnosis and detection to achieve elimination of leprosy.

Item Type: Article
Funders: Academy of Family Physicians of Malaysia research (AFPM/ADMIN/HS/2021)
Uncontrolled Keywords: indigenous health; leprosy; Penans; Sarawak; Malaysia
Subjects: R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
Divisions: Faculty of Medicine > Primary Care Medicine Department
Depositing User: Ms. Juhaida Abd Rahim
Date Deposited: 11 Nov 2024 07:00
Last Modified: 11 Nov 2024 07:00
URI: http://eprints.um.edu.my/id/eprint/45754

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