Sandbox john2
In Progress
Even though the incidence of leprosy has been decreasing throughout the last years, it should not decrease the research efforts to diminish the impact of this condition. It is important to find new, better and cost-effective ways to control the disease's incidence, particularly in endemic countries. For future research studies, major topics to keep in consideration are:
- Integration
- Quality
- Equity
- Sustainability,
epidemiological, operational and patient management, including chemotherapy. The tools to detect infection and identify patterns of transmission are essential for a better understanding of the various factors influencing the occurrence of the disease. Simultaneously there is a need to explore the use of antileprosy drugs in preventing the occurrence of new cases among household contacts. The removal of barriers to accessing and using services and how the empowerment of the community to participate in decision-making are significant challenges that need research embellished by support from other development sectors. In the area of patient management the priority issues for research include early recognition, prevention and timely management of nerve-function impairment and reactions, and the improvement of chemotherapy.
Developing and improving diagnostics to identify individuals in the community who are at high risk of developing leprosy is another research priority with major public health implications. The development of new drugs and new regimens for use in situations when rifampicin is contraindicated for reasons of resistance or toxicity become very important. Even though the problem of rifampicin resistance is not significant now, its potential to grow in future should not be underestimated. The Enhanced Global Strategy will need inputs from ongoing and future research to improve the quality and quantity of the tools and procedures available for leprosy control.
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