Itinerários terapêuticos de pacientes com diagnóstico de hanseníase em Salvador, Bahia

Abstract

Leprosy and its late diagnosis, which favors the worsening of symptoms and the appearance of physical disabilities, remains a serious public health problem in Brazil. This study aims to analyze the therapeutic itinerary of patients with leprosy and understand their illness experience and the factors that contributed to late diagnosis. Eighteen narrative interviews were carried out with patients being treated for leprosy in the city of Salvador, Bahia, between 2009 and 2011. The results show that patients have experienced a long therapeutic itinerary until receiving the diagnostic. Among the factors that contributed to late diagnosis are the lack of qualification of health professionals in healthcare facilities to achieve early diagnosis, as well as the stigma and prejudice that favours the silence around the disease and the practice of self-medication.