沖縄に於ける癩の外来治療の諸問題

抄録

In Okinawa Leprosy Out-patient Treatment started in 1962, since then many patients in the field including new patients and escapees from leprosaria have received treatment in leprosy out patient departments. Moreever early leprosy diagnosis, early treatment, follow-up of discharged patients and contact tracing for house-hold have been strongly performed for thirteen years in O. P. D. The recentry improvement of leprosy epidemiological status in Okinawa is the outcome of leprosy control policy based on out-patient treatment.
The following points should be emphasized to expand leprosy control program there;
1. The major problem in Out-patient care is to ensure regularity of treatment and spacially the priority should be given to the follow-up of Lepromatous and Borderline Leprosy patients.
2. More relapse cases of Lepromatous and Borderline leprosy have been observed than Tuberculoid and Indeterminate leprosy.
3. To prevent relapse the priority should be emphasized to follow-up Lepromatous and Borderline leprosy patients who were discharged from leprosaria.