ABSTRACT
The endemic nature of leprosy in Ethiopia has been recorded for a long time. The first organized National Leprosy Control Programme was implemented in 1956. Compared with other infectious diseases, leprosy has received relatively more attention from the Ethiopian government and international agencies. The establishment in 1965 of the All Africa Leprosy Rehabilitation and Training Centre, and in 1970 of the Armauer Hansen Research Institute, fostered active development in epidemiology, treatment, clinical, pathological, and immunological studies and gave Ethiopia a strong role on the leprosy scene in Africa. In the absence of population-based studies in Ethiopia, existing estimates of the prevalence of leprosy are based on control projects. The number of cases was grossly underreported until 1965 because of inadequate medical services and infrastructure, and because of a widespread fear of social stigma that deters many leprosy sufferers from seeking medical attention.
