The fulfilment of health care needs of leprosy patients from Kaski District, Nepal.

Hospital records of 142 leprosy patients from Kaski district in Western Nepal were reviewed to assess their use of leprosy related health services and the fulfilment of these needs. Use of services was reviewed from diagnosis until release from treatment. Voluntary muscle and sensory testing were on average done 15.2 times per patient Of MB patients, 65.5% had longer intervals between testing than recommended. A course of prednisolone was indicated in 40% of cases, but 10% of needed courses were not given. Twenty-eight percent needed protective footwear. Of the cohort, 10% had complicated ulcers and 28% had at least one admission. Paralytic impairments that could be corrected were present in 10% of the cohort.