Determinants of leprosy among patients visiting Sheshamane comprehensive specialized hospital, West Arsi zone, oromia region, ethiopia: a case-control study

Leprosy is still a major public health problem in several countries. It is estimated that several million people worldwide suffer from stigma and leprosy-related permanent physical disability. Despite the World Health Organization's recommended strategy for interrupting transmission, incidence reduction has been minimal in high-burden countries. In the study area, there is a lack of understanding of leprosy transmission risk factors. The study aimed to investigate the determinants of leprosy in patients who visited Sheshamane Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, West Arsi zone, Oromia region. A hospital-based unmatched case-control study was conducted at Sheshamane Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from January to March 2022. Systematic random sampling was used to choose 202 participants (67 cases and 135 controls). An interviewer-administered structured questionnaire was used to gather data. Epi-Info version 7.2 was used to enter the data, and SPSS version 25 was used for analysis. Binary logistic regression analysis is used to identify risk factors for leprosy. P-value < 0.05 and an adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval were used to determine statistically significant factors. Multivariable analysis showed that a history of contact with a leprosy cases (AOR = 8.92; 95% CI: 3.91, 20.36), Household food shortage experiences (AOR = 2.29; 95% CI: 1.14, 5.42), and lack of latrine (AOR = 2.99; 95%CI: 1.24, 7.25) were significantly associated with an increased risk of having leprosy. Meanwhile, taking BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) vaccination (AOR = 0.35; 95% CI: 0.14, 0.86) and having good personal hygiene (AOR = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.18, 0.89) were significantly associated with decreasing the risk of developing leprosy. A contact history with leprosy, living in a rural area, household food shortages, and a lack of a latrine at home were all risk factors for leprosy, while good personal hygiene and BCG vaccination decrease the risk of leprosy. Prioritizing interventions to enhance environmental factors such as food security and access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene in leprosy-endemic areas, along with prompt contact tracing combined with chemoprophylaxis, is recommended.