Incapacidades físicas, limitação da atividade e da participação social em pessoas no momento pós-alta de hanseníase em Fortaleza/CE

Abstract

To describe clinical and psychosocial aspects of leprosy patients after release from treatment, who were diagnosed from 2004-2006 in the city of Fortaleza (Ceará State, Brazil); to describe in these patients activity limitation, safety awareness and social participation. METHODS. A cross-sectional study was carried out in primary health care centers of Fortaleza, from August 2008 to May 2009. Forty-five patients after release from treatment were included. A structured questionnaire was applied, and neural functions of peripheral nerves were assessed. In addition, the Screening of Activity Limitation and Safety Awareness (SALSA) and the Social Participation scale were applied. RESULTS. The majority of the study population consisted of females (60%), with a mean age of 53,5 years, mainly of underprivileged socio-cultural status. 55,6% were classified as multibacillary. We observed an increase of disability grading 1 and 2, as compared to the date of release from treatment with multidrug therapy. Sixty % of the patients presented with an EHF score of 0. The majority (84,4%) did not show any restriction of social participation, 66,6% did not have any functional limitation, and 75,5% did not present any safety awareness. There was a positive correlation between SALSA and EHF scores (p=0,0254; rho=0,3330), SALSA and Social Participation (p=0,0004; rho=0,5056), and Social Participation and EHF score (p=0,0100; rho=0,3800). CONCLUSIONS. Considering the fact that a considerable part of patients presented with sequels and light functional limitations, and that few had low safety awareness, we conclude that patients need special attention after release from multidrug therapy. Health education activities should be intensified, as the majority of patients, even after treatment, had limited knowledge about the disease and as a considerable part suffered from discrimination.