Endemic situation of leprosy in a city the interior of Rio Grande do Sul

Authors

  • Marcelo Carneiro
  • Lia Gonçalves Possuelo
  • Andréia Rosane Moura Valim
  • Luciano Duro

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17058/reci.v2i1.2627

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The control of leprosy is a public health priority, however, the low prevalence in Rio Grande do Sul favoring underdiagnosis. The objective was to evaluate patients with leprosy during 1995 to 2005 in the city of Santa Cruz do Sul, RS. Results: We performed a retrospective analysis of 38 medical records and assessed the situation of 67 contacts. The mean age was 50.5 years, without gender dominance. The majority (87.2%) were Caucasian farmers with low education (74%). Multibacillary cases predominated (71.1%), clinical form virchowiana (52%) and functional incapacity was found in 36.8%. Only one contact with leprosy was identified. Conclusion: The control of a low prevalence area should prioritize early detection, facilitating the prevention of disabilities. Keywords: Communicable disease control, Hansen’s disease, Leprosy, Mycobacterium leprae.

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Published

2012-01-04

How to Cite

Carneiro, M., Possuelo, L. G., Valim, A. R. M., & Duro, L. (2012). Endemic situation of leprosy in a city the interior of Rio Grande do Sul. Revista De Epidemiologia E Controle De Infecção, 2(1), 10-13. https://doi.org/10.17058/reci.v2i1.2627

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 1 (2012)

Section

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

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