Study of disabilities in subjects with Leprosy notified in a Regional Health Management of Vale do Jequitinhonha between 2001 and 2008

• Autor(a) principal: Oliveira, Thiago Augusto Pouzas de
• Data de Publicação: 2010
• Outros Autores: Carvalho, Caroline Lopes, Galiciolli, Raquel, Souza, Renato Aparecido de
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Hansenologia Internationalis (Online)
• Texto Completo: https://periodicos.saude.sp.gov.br/hansenologia/article/view/35122
• topic: hanseníase; epidemiologia; grau de incapacidade física; leprosy; epidemiology; physical disabilities grade

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. The Brazil ranks second in the world in number of cases and the Vale do Jequitinhonha is a region of Minas Gerais which is highly endemic. Thus, this study aimed to relate the degree of disability on the diagnostic moment with the following variables: gender, age, area of land occupation and classification in relation to the clinical form. It was used 542 reporting forms with the data of leprosy in the Regional Health Management of Diamantina, MG in the period between 2001 and 2008. Of the total investigated, most were female, urban-area resident, aged between 20 and 50 and clinically with multibacilar forms. Although most do not have any physical disabilities, a significant amount possessed at the time of diagnosis. Thus, this study points to the need reformulation of assistance strategies adopted on leprosy control in Vale do Jequitinhonha.