Risk Factors Associated with Leprosy at Mataram University Hospital, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

Abstract

Background: Although West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) has achieved the leprosy elimination target of less than 1 case per 10,000 population, the rate of grade 2 disability remains relatively high at 3.0 per 1,000,000 population, exceeding the national target of less than 1 per 1,000,000 population. This highlights the importance of identifying locally relevant risk factors for leprosy. Objective: To identify risk factors associated with leprosy among patients receiving healthcare services at Mataram University Hospital, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Methods: This analytical observational study used an unmatched case-control design. Cases were patients with clinically or laboratory-confirmed leprosy identified from medical records at Mataram University Hospital between August and December 2025. Due to the limited number of eligible cases, total sampling was used, resulting in 26 cases. Sixty controls were recruited from patients receiving healthcare services at Mataram University Hospital who met the eligibility criteria and came from the same geographical area as the cases. Exposure data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Chi-square or Fisher’s Exact Test, as appropriate, with odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Bivariate analysis showed significant associations between leprosy and sex, healthy housing status, personal hygiene, history of contact with leprosy patients, and BCG vaccination history. Age was not significantly associated with leprosy. Conclusion: Several demographic, environmental, behavioral, and contact-related factors were associated with leprosy. These findings support the importance of strengthening locally relevant prevention and early detection strategies.