PEP4LEP - Chemoprophylaxis for Leprosy Post- Exposure

Is a study that aims to contribute to interrupting the transmission of M. leprae by identifying the most effective and feasible method of screening people at risk of developing leprosy and administering chemoprophylaxis in Ethiopia, Mozambique and Tanzania

In 3 years- 2019 to 2021, through an implementation trial, the project will compare the effectiveness and feasibility of a skin camp intervention to a health centre-based intervention. The purpose of the research project is to provide chemoprophylaxis in the form of Single Dose (SDR) Rifampicin to contacts of leprosy patients in order to reduce their risk of developing leprosy in 60%.

In Mozambique, the project is being implemented in Nampula Province (Meconta, Murrupula, Mogovolas Districts), through a partnership composed by NLR Mozambique, Ministry of Health (Provincial Health Directorate) and Universidade Lúrio.

This study will contribute towards the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 3: ‘Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages’ by generating evidence for the most effective and feasible way to integrate chemoprophylaxis for leprosy into routine leprosy control programmes in different socio-cultural settings in sub-Saharan Africa.

 

Participants

 Donnor/funder

MMDP - Morbidity Management and Disability Prevention / Disease Management, Disability and Inclusion (DMDI) for persons affected by lymphatic filariasis, leprosy, and/or konzo in Nampula, Mozambique.

 The project aims at having a better understanding of MMDP/DMDI services that are currently delivered to people affected/disabled by leprosy, LF and/or konzo as well as the needs of people affected/disabled by leprosy, LF and/or konzo and will be implemented in Memba and Erati Districts.

The project is based on findings collected during the implementation of different projects by NLR and the Provincial Health Directorates in Zambezia and Nampula over the past three years.

The proposal development process has been conducted by NLR Mozambique, in coordination with the Neglected Tropical Diseases- NTD department at the Ministry of Health (Department of Public Health) and Ministry of Gender Children and Social Action (Department of Social Action).

Ready4PEP: Preparing Mozambique and Nigeria for PEP

This project is directly aligned with NLR’s mission to promote and support health, ability and full inclusion in society for persons affected by leprosy or living with disability. This is in line with the WHO and ILEP strategies as well as the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goal number three “Good Health and well- being for all”.

The project will contribute to:

• Zero Transmission of Leprosy by strengthening the National Leprosy Control Programmes and their staff, so they have the necessary knowledge, resources and tools, at all administrative levels, to implement and roll- out Single Dose Riphampicin for Leprosy Post- Exposure (SDR-PEP) in all endemic areas;
• Zero disability due to leprosy through early case detection and (combined) self-care for hundreds of persons affected by leprosy and other disabling diseases in the self-care groups.

In Mozambique, the project is being implemented in Nampula, Zambézia and Cabo Delgado Provinces (Rapale, Molumbo and Cuamba Districts), through a partnership between NLR Mozambique, The Leprosy Mission and the Ministry of Health (Provincial Health Directorates).