Dépistage Actif de la Lèpre en Stratégie Avancée dans le Sud-Ouest du Burkina Faso : Résultats Cliniques et Organisationnels d'une Campagne Intégrée: Active Leprosy Screening Using an Outreach Strategy in Southwestern Burkina Faso: Clinical and Organizational Results of an Integrated Campaign

Fagnima Traoré; Solo Traoré; Abdoulaye Sawadogo; Nore Edith Rosalie Fayama; Isidore Wendkieta Yerbanga; Rokiatou Topan; Cheick Ismaël Abdel-Kader Traoré; Muriel Sidnoma Ouédraogo

doi:10.5281/zenodo.18667932

Authors

Fagnima Traoré 1. Unité de Formation et de Recherche en Science de la Santé (UFR/SS), Université Lédéa Bernard OUÉDRAOGO de Ouahigouya 2. Service de dermatologie et vénérologie du centre hospitalier universitaire régional de Ouahigouya, Ouahigouya
Solo Traoré 1. Unité de Formation et de Recherche en Science de la Santé (UFR/SS), Université Lédéa Bernard OUÉDRAOGO de Ouahigouya 2. Service de médecine interne du centre hospitalier universitaire régional de Ouahigouya, Ouahigouya
Abdoulaye Sawadogo 1. Unité de Formation et de Recherche en Science de la Santé (UFR/SS), Université Lédéa Bernard OUÉDRAOGO de Ouahigouya 2. Service de maladies infectieuses et tropicales du centre hospitalier universitaire régional de Ouahigouya
Nore Edith Rosalie Fayama 1. Unité de Formation et de Recherche en Science de la Santé (UFR/SS), Université Lédéa Bernard OUÉDRAOGO de Ouahigouya 2. Service de psychiatrie du centre hospitalier universitaire régional de Ouahigouya, Ouahigouya
Isidore Wendkieta Yerbanga 1. Unité de Formation et de Recherche en Science de la Santé (UFR/SS), Université Lédéa Bernard OUÉDRAOGO de Ouahigouya 2. Laboratoire du centre hospitalier universitaire régional de Ouahigouya
Rokiatou Topan 7. Centre Raoul Follereau de Ouagadougou
Cheick Ismaël Abdel-Kader Traoré 8. Hôpital Militaire Capitaine Halassane COULIBALY de Ouagadougou
Muriel Sidnoma Ouédraogo 9. Unité de Formation et de Recherche en Science de la Santé (UFR/SDS), Université Joseph KI-ZERBO de Ouagadougou 10. Service de dermatologie et vénérologie du centre hospitalier universitaire Yalgado OUÉDRAOGO, Ouagadougou

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18667932

Keywords:

: Leprosy; Active Case Finding; Neglected Tropical Diseases; Burkina Faso; Mass Screening; Filarial Lymphedema

Abstract

Introduction. Leprosy, declared eliminated as a public health problem in Burkina Faso since 1994, persists in some regions with pediatric cases and late diagnoses. We conducted an active screening campaign to describe case profiles in the Southwest. Materials and Methods. A cross-sectional active screening campaign was conducted from May 19 to 24, 2025, in four health districts of Southwestern Burkina Faso. Following community mobilization, a multidisciplinary team performed systematic dermatological and neurological examinations. Leprosy diagnosis was clinically confirmed according to WHO criteria by at least two dermatologists. Data were collected and analyzed descriptively. Results. Of 56,183 eligible residents, 713 individuals (1.3%) presented for screening. Nine new leprosy cases were diagnosed (detection rate: 16.0/100,000), including five multibacillary forms, one paucibacillary form, and three pure neural forms, all in adults aged 25 to 70 years. Twelve new cases of filarial lymphedema and 589 other skin conditions (eczema, fungal infections) were identified. Among 32 household contacts, 14 (43.8%) were examined, with no new cases found. Conclusion. This campaign revealed a leprosy detection rate significantly higher than elimination thresholds in Southwestern Burkina Faso, with a high proportion of pure neural forms. The integrated approach, combining community mobilization and specialized expertise, is effective and should be sustained.

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Active Leprosy Screening Using an Outreach Strategy in Southwestern Burkina Faso: Clinical and Organizational Results of an Integrated Campaign