NURSING CARE IN RESPONSE TO THE ABANDONMENT OF LEPROSY TREATMENT: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Introduction: Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, characterized by its ability to affect the skin and peripheral nerves. Transmission occurs primarily through frequent contact with infected individuals who have not yet started appropriate treatment, as well as in crowded locations with limited air circulation, contributing to the spread of the disease. Leprosy remains a significant public health issue with global implications, particularly prevalent in tropical regions and socioeconomically disadvantaged communities. Nurses play a crucial role at every stage of the process, from diagnosis to the conclusion—or regrettably, the abandonment—of leprosy treatment. One of the greatest challenges faced is the strong resistance from patients to adhere to treatment and the reluctance of their loved ones, representing significant obstacles. OBJECTIVE: To identify, through the literature, the extent of the nurse's relevance in the treatment of leprosy. Methodology:   This study consists of an integrative literature review, in which data collection was carried out through access to the databases of the Virtual Health Library (BVS), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), Nursing Database (BDENF), and Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (Lilacs). The search was conducted using health sciences descriptors (DeCS): Leprosy, public health, and primary health care. Inclusion criteria considered the following parameters: articles published between 2019 and 2024, freely available articles in Portuguese, Spanish, and English, which addressed the topic comprehensively and were fully accessible. Articles that did not align with the research scope, as well as those that were incomplete or duplicated across multiple databases, were excluded. Results and discussion: Early diagnosis of leprosy is essential to prevent treatment abandonment and physical alterations. Therefore, nursing professionals have a significant responsibility, as they must assess all lesions and are also responsible for developing and implementing actions and strategies to prevent treatment abandonment. Conclusion: The nurse must be highly qualified and trained to identify and assess an individual with leprosy and provide them with the correct guidance and information about the treatment.