Leprosy and pregnancy: detection coefficient and proposal for a new index

Introduction

Our study presents a method to generate a novel detection coefficient for the association between leprosy and pregnancy (DCLP).

Methods

The DCLP was calculated for women from the State of Pará (2007-2009), Brazil. Data were ordered, divided into five equal parts (corresponding to the P₂₀, P₄₀, P₆₀, and P₈₀ percentiles), and classified as low, medium, high, very high, or hyperendemic.

Results

Using the new index, we established the DCLP parameters for low (<0.36), medium (0.36-0.69), high (0.70-1.09), very high (1.10-1.50), and hyperendemic (>1.50).

Conclusions

The new DCLP is more appropriate than the overall detection coefficient (DC), which does not take into account the particularities of the interaction between a disease and a specific physiological state.

Leprosy; Pregnancy; Epidemiology