Fatores sociodemográficos associados ao grau de incapacidade física na hanseníase

Abstract

Introduction: Physical disability is the major problem resulting from leprosy, causing negative impacts on individuals' lives. The objective was to analyze some sociodemographic factors associated with the occurrence of physical disability in new leprosy cases. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional and analytical study, whose sample consisted of 323 medical charts of patients diagnosed in a Leprosy Reference Unit in the State of Pará-Brazil, from 2005 to 2014.We used the calculation of Prevalence Ratio (PR) to check the strength by association among variables. Results: The percentages of the Degrees 1 and 2 of physical disability were 28.1%, and the sociodemographic factors that were associated with their establishment were: male gender (PR=2.0); aged 15 or older (PR=2.2); schooling up to elementary school (PR= 1.3); originating from the countryside or from another State (PR=1.2); and having an income of up to 3 minimum wages (PR=5.7). Discussion: we observed greater exposure and less male prevention; the chronic and progressive character of the pathology; schooling may be a protective factor; difficulties and barriers to decentralization of health care; showing that the populations with lower purchasing power are more vulnerable to illness and disabilities. Conclusions: There is a need for enhancing investments in the health and education sectors, in order to minimize social inequalities. (English) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]