Population-wide administration of single dose rifampicin for leprosy prevention in isolated communities: a three-year follow-up feasibility study in Indonesia

Authors: Tiwari A, Dandel S, Djupuri R, Mieras L, Richardus JH.

Source: BMC Infect Dis. 2018 Jul 11;18(1):324.

Summary

Indonesia ranks third in the world regarding leprosy burden. Chemoprophylaxis is effective in reducing the risk of developing leprosy amongst contacts. The ‘blanket approach’ is an operational strategy for leprosy post-exposure prophylaxis in which all members of an isolated community, high endemic for leprosy are screened and given a single dose of rifampicin (SDR) in the absence of signs and symptoms of leprosy. The objective is to assess the operational feasibility of a population-wide ‘blanket’ administration of SDR for leprosy prevention in isolated communities in a remote island.