Clinical and Demographic Characteristics of Patients with Leprosy at Sanjiwani Regional General Hospital, Gianyar: A Five-Year Retrospective Study

Abstract

Leprosy remains a public health concern in Indonesia; however, hospital-based data describing patients receiving care at regional facilities remain limited. This study aimed to describe the clinical and demographic characteristics of patients with leprosy receiving outpatient treatment at Sanjiwani Regional General Hospital, Gianyar, from 2021 to 2025. A descriptive observational study with a retrospective design was conducted using secondary data obtained from medical records. Total sampling was applied to all medical records that met the eligibility criteria; of the 37 identified patients, 35 were included in the analysis. The variables assessed included age group, sex, domicile, paucibacillary/multibacillary (PB/MB) classification, acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear results, and leprosy reactions. Data were analyzed using univariate analysis and presented as frequencies and percentages. Most patients were aged 45–65 years (54.3%), male (65.7%), and resided in Gianyar Regency (85.7%). Multibacillary leprosy was identified in 30 patients (85.7%), AFB smear positivity was observed in 20 patients (57.1%), and leprosy reactions were documented in 19 patients (54.3%), comprising type 1 reactions in 11 patients (31.4%) and type 2 reactions in 8 patients (22.9%). These findings provide a hospital-based profile of patients with leprosy, characterized predominantly by adults, males, multibacillary disease, positive AFB smear results, and documented leprosy reactions. The results may serve as baseline information for service evaluation and further research while highlighting the need for early recognition of reactions and nerve function assessment to prevent disability.