Abstract

ARANTES, Cíntia Kazue et al. Health services assessment of early leprosy diagnosis. Epidemiol. Serv. Saúde [online]. 2010, vol.19, n.2, pp.155-164. ISSN 1679-4974.  http://dx.doi.org/10.5123/S1679-49742010000200008.

In the present study, health services were assessed regarding early diagnosis of leprosy and troubles faced by the population to initiate and remain under treatment. Patients (n=234), who initiated leprosy treatment between 1998 and 2006 in Sao Jose do Rio Preto, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil were interviewed and answered to open and closed questions. The mean number of medical appointments to diagnose the disease was 2.7 in public health units and 4.5 in the private sector. Most patients reported that they did not have problems to initiate treatment. They travelled about 9.2 km from their residences to treatment facilities and spent about R$0.30/km. Considering that the maximum distance from the health centers to private residences should be about 1.5 km, decentralization of treatment would be the best option to improve access andfacilitate treatment of leprosy patients.

Keywords : leprosy; health services; epidemiology; health services administration; early diagnosis.

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