|
|
| Id: | 15445
| | Author: | Doull, James A; Rodriguez, José N; Guinto, Ricardo; Plantilla, Fidel C. | | Title: | A field study of leprosy in Cebu.
| | Source: | Int. J. Lepr;4(2):141-170, Apr.-Jun. 1936. ilus, mapas, tab, graf.
| | Abstract: | In the municipality of Cordova, Mactan Island, Province of Cebu, Philippine Islands, a field study of leprosy was found to be entirely practicable. At the commencement of the study certain questions were propounded on which it was hoped to gain information. Certain of these were very definitely answered, and the data collected indicate that most of the others could be satisfactorily settled in a more extensive study. In a population of 6,063 persons, 104 cases of leprosy were found, including 43 that were already in segregation and 16 others on parole. Of the remaining 45 cases, 15 were "closed" cases already on the register of the Cebu Skin Dispensary. The total incidence was 17.2 per thousand, but excluding 23 cases regarded as "arrested" or "quiescent" the rate is reduced to 13.4 per thousand. If the same ratio between segregated and nonsegregated cases be assumed to hold throughout the Philippines, on the basis of the total number now in segregation (approximately 8,500), the total number of all cases of leprosy of all varities, active and quiescent, would be 20,000 more or less. Of the 30 newly discovered cases, only three were of the bacteriologically positive cutaneous type. Contact with an antecedent case, at least as intimate as sleeping in the same house, could be established in 38.5 per cent. Excluding those with such a history who were not members of the same families as the antecedent cases, it was found that 27, or 26 per cent, gave a history of family contact. To obtain these histories with accuracy and in sufficient detail is costly and time consuming, particularly in an area where the disease is frequent. Studies of these and other families are being continued and it is probable that thse percentages will be materially raised. In a high proportion of a limited series of patients the primary lesions were situated on those parts of the body most exposed to injury. The incidence of leprosy in the area studied was not associated with an unusual incidence of any other infectious disease, save that yaws and certain parasitic skin diseases are highly prevalent. There was no obvious deficiency of diet in Cordova, but on this matter no definite opinion can be expressed without further study. A suggestive association was found between the occurrence of leprosy and overcrowding of the home. Detailed findings on paroled patients will be given in a later report. (AU).
| | Descriptors: | HANSENIASE/sangue
HANSENIASE/clas
HANSENIASE/diag
HANSENIASE/epidemiol
HANSENIASE/hist
HANSENIASE/patol
HANSENIASE/transm
MYCOBACTERIUM LEPRAE/isol
MYCOBACTERIUM LEPRAE/patogen
- TOPOGRAFIA MEDICA
HIGIENE
HABITACAO
DIETA
| | Limits: | HUMANO
| | Location: | BR191.1 |
|
