Background: Leprosy is an infectious disease which may lead to disability before, during or after treatment. Leprosy is associated with social stigma and discrimination because of disability and disfigurement and is recognized as a disease of major public health significance. Objectives: To determine the extent and pattern disability among new leprosy cases, factors associated with disability, provision and utilization of disability preventive services. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Siliguri subdivision of Darjeeling district, West Bengal among all newly diagnosed and registered leprosy cases in a reference year (April 2013- March 2014). Subjects were interviewed and examined for assessment of disability and other variables. The data were analyzed using SPSS software and chi-square, binary logistic regression were applied to test association between disability and other epidemiological correlates. Results: Among 110 new leprosy cases studied, overall proportion of disability was 15.5%; Grade 1 and Grade 2 disabilities were 9.1% and 6.4% respectively. Hand was the commonest site of involvement, whereas Grade 2 disability was highest in feet (3.6%). Disability status was found to be significantly associated with number of nerve involvement and history of treatment interruption. Utilization of disability preventive services was found very poor. Conclusion: Overall proportion of disabilities as well as Grade 1 and Grade 2 disabilities among newly diagnosed leprosy cases were unacceptably high in the studied area.

Keywords: Darjeeling; Disabilities; Grades of disability; Leprosy cases; Preventive service.