Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To understand the implementation of leprosy symptom surveillance in Guangdong Province, explore its role in early detection of leprosy, and provide a theoretical basis for leprosy prevention and control. METHODS: Data from the National Leprosy Prevention and Management Information System (LEPMIS) and Guangdong Suspected Leprosy Symptom Surveillance System were collected, including symptom surveillance data (2018-2023) and newly diagnosed leprosy case records (2012-2023). The newly diagnosed leprosy case records were divided into pre-implementation (2012-2017) and post-implementation (2018-2023) of symptom surveillance. The effectiveness of the symptom surveillance program was evaluated by assessing the surveillance coverage and clinical outcomes, including but not limited to coverage rate, delayed discovery time, and early diagnosis. Database was established and checked for logical errors, followed by descriptive statistical analysis, chi-square test using SPSS 24.0. RESULTS: By the end of 2023, the number of participating medical institutions was 2,891, increased by 92.3% compared to 2018 when the symptom surveillance was first initiated, and the county-level coverage rate increased from 11.3 to 97.6%. After implementation of symptom surveillance, the proportions of resident patients, Han ethnicity, and farmers or herders decreased significantly (p < 0.05). The delayed discovery time decreased from (36.2 ± 2.0) months to (31.8 ± 3.1) months, and the patients delayed discovery time decreased from (27.7 ± 1.8) months to (20.8 ± 2.5) months, both showing a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). DISCUSSION: Our findings indicate that the leprosy symptom surveillance program in Guangdong Province has effectively reduced delayed discovery time, particularly patients delayed discovery time in seeking medical care, thereby facilitating early detection of leprosy cases.