SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC ASPECTS OF THE TREATMENT ABANDONMENT PROFILE FOR HANSEN'S DISEASE IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF JUAZEIRO/BA BETWEEN 2018 AND 2023

Abstract

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, which mainly affects the skin and peripheral nerves, and can lead to physical disabilities if not diagnosed and treated early. Despite advances in access to multidrug therapy, leprosy remains a significant public health problem in Brazil, with a greater impact in the North and Northeast regions. This study aimed to outline the clinical and epidemiological profile of leprosy cases reported in the municipality of Juazeiro-BA, from 2018 to 2023. This is a retrospective, quantitative, and descriptive study, carried out using secondary data analysis. Variables such as sex, race/color, education level, and year of notification were evaluated, seeking to identify patterns of occurrence and aspects related to the social vulnerability of the affected population. The results demonstrated a predominance of cases in males, 407 cases (50.9%), low education level with incomplete primary education (39.7%), and mixed race, with 560 cases (70%), in addition to annual variations in incidence, with peaks of 170 cases (21.2%) in 2022 and a reduction in 2023, presenting 101 cases (12.6%). The analysis allowed for the outlining of the clinical-epidemiological profile of leprosy in the locality, highlighting factors associated with the maintenance of the transmission chain and difficulties in therapeutic adherence.