Epidemiological analysis from 2001 to 2016 and the knowledge of primary care users in leprosy: A Retrospective Observational Study

Objective: To carry out a survey of Hansen's disease cases in the city of José Bonifácio-SP and to evaluate the knowledge of a sample of the population about this disease. Methods: A review of medical patient records warned of Hansen's disease was performed at SINAN (Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação/Notifiable Diseases Information System) in the city of José Bonifácio-SP between 2001 and 2016. In addition, a questionnaire, to evaluate the knowledge degree of the disease, was handed out to 50 users of the Basic Health Unit (UBS – UnidadeBásica de Saúde) Dr. JoãoLania. Results: 133 Hansen's disease cases were certified in the city of José Bonifácio-SP, male people are in the majority (49.62%), between the ages of 60 and 69 years (19.54%), and in the undetermined clinical form (30.07%). Regarding the classification and the physical incapacity degree caused by Hansen's disease, the paucibacillary type (48.12%) and degree 0 (44.36%) were, respectively, more frequently found. The questionnaire analysis showed that 29 women (58%) and 21 men (42%), more than half (58%) had known about Hansen's disease and 42% did not know of it. Conclusion: In 16 years, more than 100 people developed Hansen's disease in the city that was studied, with the majority being men and elderly people. The questionnaire application has proved to be an important tool in evidencing that many people have many doubts about the transmission form, symptoms, and treatment, which needs to be corrected by health actions developed by the city health department.