Percepções sobre aspectos clínicos e epidemiológicos da hanseníase: utilização de inquérito domiciliar em uma área endêmica de Minas Gerais

Abstract

Hanseniase disease also known as leprosy, is considered as one of the oldest evils in human history, cases being reported since biblical ages. The historical and socially perceptions constructed known about the disease lead the leprosy patients to be removed from society. The existing perceptions about the disease in the population, often intensify some misconceptions, thus favoring the increase of some distorted information about transmission, diagnosis and treatment, leading to stigmatization. To achieve a greater reduction of the disease, it is necessary to involve the population and create good programs of health education because the main points of the disease control are ther early diagnosis and treatment. The aim of the study was to analyze the perceptions of the people in the microregion of Almenara about leprosy and their relations with epidemiological and socio-demographic variables. The cross-sectional study was taken, a household survey type. In the period 1998-2006 eight municipalities with different rates were selected. The participants were individuals over 18 years old, living in urban areas. A semi-structured interview in which a questionnaire was applied guiding addressing issues related to demographic, epidemiological, among other characteristics. For processing and analysis of data we used the software MS Excel, EpiInfo, SPSS and Statistical Software for Professionals (STATA). The study was approved by Research ethics committee of the federal university of General Mines (COEP- UFMG) through document number ETIC 158/09. An total of 2361 individuals were interviewed and of these, 23.7% had less than one year of study, 36.6% lived with up to a minimum salary. About leprosy and its signs although a great deal of the population has already heard about this disease, the population was unaware of the clinical and epidemiological aspects. The most reported sign was a "stain" regardless endemicity of municipalities. stain with altered sensitivity and loss of sensitivity was also reported by surveyed. When performing the association of perceptions of surveyed considering the groups of municipalities it was seen that this was not the only factor that influences; the level of education, income, family case history and age were also associated with perceptions of respondents. Individuals possessing higher education level have 2.11 times the chance to learn about the contagiousness of leprosy than those who have less than one year of schooling. Individuals living hyperendemic municipalities have 4.71 times the chance to know about the existence of treatment compared to those who live in quiet municipality. The data showed the inefficiency of information about the disease and these findings may facilitate the spread and installing and/or worsening of their social and physical consequences. We realize that a lot of efforts have still to be done accordingly. Thus, everyone must become aware and involved in educational activities in the population of microregion of Almenara.