Diagnosis of the public helthcare network for leprosy patients: A cross-sectional study
1
Bahia State Health Department, Directorate of Epidemiological Surveillance, Salvador, Brazil
2
University of Guarulhos, Guarulhos, Brazil
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A1543
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Leprosy represents a major challenge for health managers and professionals. It is a neglected disease affecting patients with social and economic vulnerabilities, associated with social stigma and prejudice. The objective of this study is to diagnose the healthcare network for patients with suspected or confirmed leprosy, highlighting the weaknesses of the assistance network in the state of Bahia.
METHODS:
This is a cross-sectional observational study. A mixed-method (qualitative-quantitative) questionnaire was developed, addressing healthcare characterization, diagnostic and examination networks, treatment, and surveillance actions. The instrument was applied electronically via Google Forms, sent to regional health bases, and forwarded to the epidemiological surveillance unit of each municipality. Data were tabulated in Microsoft Excel and analyzed using SPSS v.26 for Windows.
RESULTS:
Health macro-regions contain municipalities where care is centralized in specialized services. In the South macro-region, 28.33% of municipalities do not perform leprosy diagnosis or consultations in Primary Health Units (UBS); of these, 58.82% are from the Itabuna regional base and 41.18% from the Ilhéus base. Macro-regions with a higher percentage of centralized care showed higher treatment dropout indicators. There is a need for professional qualification in the Northeast and North-Central macro-regions to perform simplified neurological assessments. Furthermore, an overload on tertiary care was observed.
CONCLUSIONS:
Leprosy remains a public health problem that must be prioritized through the creation of strategies and public health policies. Establishing a Care Line with assistance flows and the definition of secondary care in the state is a strategy to guarantee integral care for leprosy patients.
Leprosy represents a major challenge for health managers and professionals. It is a neglected disease affecting patients with social and economic vulnerabilities, associated with social stigma and prejudice. The objective of this study is to diagnose the healthcare network for patients with suspected or confirmed leprosy, highlighting the weaknesses of the assistance network in the state of Bahia.
METHODS:
This is a cross-sectional observational study. A mixed-method (qualitative-quantitative) questionnaire was developed, addressing healthcare characterization, diagnostic and examination networks, treatment, and surveillance actions. The instrument was applied electronically via Google Forms, sent to regional health bases, and forwarded to the epidemiological surveillance unit of each municipality. Data were tabulated in Microsoft Excel and analyzed using SPSS v.26 for Windows.
RESULTS:
Health macro-regions contain municipalities where care is centralized in specialized services. In the South macro-region, 28.33% of municipalities do not perform leprosy diagnosis or consultations in Primary Health Units (UBS); of these, 58.82% are from the Itabuna regional base and 41.18% from the Ilhéus base. Macro-regions with a higher percentage of centralized care showed higher treatment dropout indicators. There is a need for professional qualification in the Northeast and North-Central macro-regions to perform simplified neurological assessments. Furthermore, an overload on tertiary care was observed.
CONCLUSIONS:
Leprosy remains a public health problem that must be prioritized through the creation of strategies and public health policies. Establishing a Care Line with assistance flows and the definition of secondary care in the state is a strategy to guarantee integral care for leprosy patients.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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