Determining target populations for leprosy prophylactic interventions: a hotspot analysis in Indonesia

• DOI: 10.1186/s12879-022-07103-0
• Publication Date: 2022-02-07T14:04:14Z
• Authors: A. T. Taal; D. J. Blok; A. Handito; S. Wibowo; Sumarsono; A. Wardana; G. Pontororing; D. F. Sari; W. H. van Brakel; J. H. Richardus; C. R. S. Prakoeswa
• Keywords: Scan statistic; Statistic

Leprosy incidence remained at around 200,000 new cases globally for the last decade. Current strategies to reduce number of patients include early detection and providing post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) at-risk populations. Because leprosy is distributed unevenly, it crucial identify high-risk clusters targeting interventions. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) methodology can be used optimize control activities by identifying clustering determining optimal target populations PEP.The geolocations registered from 2014 2018 in Pasuruan Pamekasan (Indonesia) were collected tested spatial autocorrelation with Moran's I statistic. We did a hotspot analysis using Heatmap tool QGIS both areas. Fifteen cluster settings compared, varying heatmap radius (i.e., 500 m, 1000 1500 2000 or 2500 m) density (low, moderate, high). For each setting, we calculated clusters, size (km2), total population targeted PEP under various strategies.The distribution was more focused (Moran's = 0.44) than (0.27). The proportion within identified increased ranged 3% almost 100% decreased > 5% high 88 moderate low clusters. have developed an example practical guideline determine based on given strategy, cases, resources available, PEP.Policy operational decisions related programs guided which aid estimating people prophylactic