Epidemiological evaluation of leprosy and leprosy health services in Ribeirão Preto city, Brazil, in 1992

Abstract

Analysis of governmental data collected in health services of Ribeirão Preto City in 1992 was made with the purpose of evaluate the leprosy epidemiology and the efficacy of leprosy health services. It was found a prevalence of 1,72 /1000 habitants, that was lower than the brazilian national prevalence in 1992 (1,78 /1000 habitants), and higher than the W.H.O. definition for low prevalence areas (0,2 /1000 habitants). The majority of patients (65,4%) was multibacillary leprosy, and the predominant therapeutics was monoquimiotherapy (despite the W.H.O. recomendations); there was satisfactory patient attendance, but approximately the half of the patients had not evaluations of their disabilities in the year, and 60% of them had sequelae. The proposition is to centralize the assistance in Basic Health Care Facilities, approximating the service to community; the participation of medical specialists and more advanced technology would be employed only to improve the diagnosis or in complications in the course of the treatment. The therapy would be applied in groups of patients, in search for social reintegration and health education.