Sociodemographic and epidemiological profile of leprosy patients in an endemic region in Brazil

• Main Authors: Ronald Jefferson Martins, Maria Emília Oliveira Gomes Carloni, Suzely Adas Saliba Moimaz, Cléa Adas Saliba Garbin, Artênio José Ísper Garbin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (SBMT)
• Series: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical
• Subjects: Health profile; Socioeconomic factors; Hansen's disease
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0037-86822016000600777&lng=en&tlng=en

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: The incidence of Hansen's disease is high in overlooked populations. METHODS: Data of Hansen's disease cases reported in the information system of the Department of Informatics, Brazilian Unified Health System, from 2013 to 2014 were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 434 studied cases of Hansen's disease, the female sex (52.5%), adult age (73.7%), low educational level (61.8%), and multibacillary form were associated with higher prevalence rates. CONCLUSIONS: Hansen's disease is more frequent among female adults with a low educational level, and the prevalence of multibacillary leprosy reflects disease detection at late stages.