Lepra Evaluation Project (LEP)
The LEP survey aimed to collect information on the rates and risk factors for infectious diseases, in particular leprosy, in Malawi. Over 112,000 residents from over 17,000 households of the Karonga District in Northern Malawi were interviewed and physically examined from 1980 to 1984 during baseline data collection, LEP-1. A follow-up survey called LEP-2 was conducted from 1986 to 1989, including 88,000 participants who had participated in LEP-1. The same population were followed in vaccination trials for the following 30 years.
Study design
Household panel, Cohort
Number of participants at first data collection
112,886 (participants)
Age at first data collection
Varied (participants)
Participant year of birth
Varied (participants)
Participant sex
All
Representative sample at baseline?
The population of Karonga district in northern Malawi.
Sample features
Country
Year of first data collection
1980
Primary Institutions
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM)
Profile paper DOI
Funders
British Leprosy Relief Association (now known as Lepra)
Overseas Development Administration (now known as the Department for International Development)
World Health Organisation (WHO)
Ongoing?
No
Data types collected
- Interview – face-to-face
- Physical or biological assessment (e.g. blood, saliva, gait, grip strength, anthropometry)
- None
- None
- None
Engagement
Keywords
