**4.1 Estimation of the burden of leprosy**

The control of leprosy starts with the estimation of size and magnitude of the problem. Most common epidemiological survey method of collection of data is "Quick random sample survey." Information about the prevalence of leprosy, age and sex-wise distribution, various forms of leprosy and the health facilities available should be gathered. Roughly the total prevalence of leprosy in an area would be about 4 times that of the cases found among school children [5, 6]. These estimates are essential to plan, implement and to evaluate the results of the control program.
