Prevalência de incapacidades sensitivo-motoras por doença hansênica em pacientes menores de 15 anos

Abstract

Leprosy is an infectious disease which, if untreated, can cause physical deformities and disabilities. She is considered a public health problem in Brazil. Even today is marked by great prejudice. Brazil still ranks second in the world in absolute numbers of cases. The State of Pará, is the fifth most endemic and first in absolute numbers of new cases. In relation to children under fifteen years, the Para has rated "hyperendemic". This shows the need for greater attention to these patients through monitoring of them, with early diagnosis, prevention and treatment of disabilities. The objective is to identify the presence of disabilities in leprosy disease in patients under 15 years registered in the Treatment of Leprosy Programmes Unit Specialized Reference Marcelo Candia, School Health Center of Marco and Basic Health Unit of Silver, also identifying the socioeconomic conditions in living individuals who care and this estimate the possible effects of disabilities caused by leprosy in the occupational activities of individuals. These units provide care for leprosy patients. We conducted a series of case studies, quantitative, descriptive, and primary and secondary data. The sample included 24 patients because of losses and factors that limited the research. The established period were the years 2001 to 2005. The findings of this study, presented as a profile of the group studied, mostly female, single, coming mostly from the capital and the metropolitan area of Belém, incomplete primary education level, occupation, the informal economy and household income of a minimum wage . Characteristic clinical, borderline and in prevalence of disability grade zero. The study showed low prevalence of sensory-motor impairments in this group. This fact may be associated with improved surveillance and control of leprosy by the health services, in addition to early diagnosis and treatment efficiency.