Factors associated with non-adherence to leprosy multidrug therapy: a review

Leprosy is one of the oldest diseases that affect man. With the emergence of multidrug therapy, usually consisting of dapsone, clofazimine and rifampicin, there has been a significant decline in the prevalence of leprosy worldwide. However, developing countries such as Brazil have struggled to achieve the elimination goals proposed by the World Health Organization. According to the literature, late diagnosis and non-adherence to treatment have been associated with this failure. Regarding adherence, studies have found different factors associated with unsatisfactory completion of treatment, such as: socioeconomic issues; the health system and its staff; and conditions related to the disease itself, the patient and the duration of treatment. Given the plurality of findings, it is considered necessary that more systematic studies be conducted in this context, investigating not only sociodemographic, but also psychological and social aspects.