Impact of the diagnosis of leprosy

Objective: to identify the diagnostic impact of leprosy. Method: this is a descriptive exploratory study with a qualitative approach. The data collection was carried out in a Health Unit from the Sanitary District IV, located in the city of Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, after the approval by the Research Ethics Committee of Hospital Agamenon Magalhães, under the Protocol 21. The sample consisted of thirteen clients of the Brazilian Unique Health System (SUS) who met the criteria of this research. The data were analyzed through thematic categorization. Results: eight participants were male and five female; the categories which emerged after the information analysis were: knowledge of users on leprosy; changes which happened in life after the diagnosis of leprosy; coping with the changes that happened; prejudice suffered by the clients; suggestions for improving the quality of life of patients with leprosy; message to the patients with leprosy. Conclusion: the changes reported by the clients were related to the limitations due to the pathology, i.e., arising from the physical and neurological disabilities identified in cases without early diagnosis. The prejudice related to the diagnosis of leprosy is not inherent only to the society, but also to the patient with leprosy her/himself. Descriptors: leprosy; prejudice; knowledge; social stigma. RESUMOObjetivo: identificar o impacto do diagnóstico da Hanseníase. Método: trata-se de um estudo exploratório, descritivo com abordagem qualitativa. A coleta de dados foi realizada em Unidade de Saúde do Distrito Sanitário IV, situada no município de Recife–PE, após aprovação do projeto de pesquisa pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa do Hospital Agamenon Magalhães sob número de protocolo 21. A amostra foi composta por treze clientes do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) que atenderam aos critérios desta pesquisa. Os dados foram analisados por categorização temática. Resultados: oito foram do sexo masculino e cinco do feminino; as categorias que emergiram após a análise das ...