Stigma of leprosy by community health workers: associated factors

• Autor(a) principal: Batista, Stefane Oliveira
• Data de Publicação: 2023
• Outros Autores: Santos, Ana Clara Marinho, Ribeiro, Lucas de Lima, Bandeira, Fernanda Láuria Chaves, Rodrigues, Allana Lima Moreira, Monteiro, Lorena Dias
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por; eng
• Título da fonte: Hansenologia Internationalis (Online)
• Texto Completo: https://periodicos.saude.sp.gov.br/hansenologia/article/view/37913
• topic: Hanseníase; Agentes comunitários de saúde; Estigma social; Leprosy; Community health workers; Social stigma; Lepra; Agentes comunitarios de salud; Estigma social

Objective: to identify the factors associated with the stigma of leprosy, manifested in guidance regarding the separation of objects in family life, by community health workers in Palmas, Tocantins, Brazil. Methods: quantitative cross-sectional study carried out in Basic Health Units in Palmas in a population of 301 community health workers, using a self-administered questionnaire. Results: of the 301CHWs, 22.92% guided people at home regarding the separation of personal objects, such as cutlery, glasses, plates, towels, bed linen, clothing and bedroom isolation. Guidance to separate objects for personal use was significantly higher for male community health workers (PR: 1.89; CI:1.25-2.87), younger (PR:1.90; CI:1.14- 3.17), with less time living in Palmas (RP: 2.06; CI: 1.253.40), with the location of the Basic Health Units outside the master plan (PR: 1.75; CI: 1.11- 2.76 ), who had not taken a leprosy course (PR:3.03; CI: 2.01-4.58), who had never followed up cases (PR:3.82; CI: 2.02-7.22) and who did not have a familymember affected by leprosy (PR:1.96; CI: 1.10-3.47). Conclusion: the high prevalence of community health workers who have leprosy stigma represents a barrier in disease control actions. It was observed that the chances of stigma occurrence were higher in young, male community health agents, without training on leprosy and with a workplace in the peripheral regions of the city. Factors tobe considered by the local control program with the adoption of Permanent Health Education. Investments in courses aimed at leprosy can contribute to reducing ignorance about the disease, as cultural aspects and generational beliefs influence the maintenance of concepts and social stigma.