Risk Factors for Disability Upgrading Among Leprosy Patients During Treatment: Multilevel Modeling Analysis.

An individual-level factor on the risk of disability was higher as age increased and for patients with a longer duration of symptoms. The risk of disability was lower for patients who do not lose their sensation and for patients whose lesion distribution is asymmetrical. The community-level factor, patient categories, was also a significant factor in disability due to leprosy. Furthermore, programs should emphasize raising community awareness, focusing on key messages and early case detection campaigns, such as active surveys, as well as the availability of leprosy care in a public health facility.