Knowledge of health professionals in the face of Leprosy – a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Leprosy, a contagious infectious disease, transmitted by Mycobacterium leprae. Considered a public health problem still in today’s times. The objective was to analyze the knowledge of Doctors and Nurses on leprosy. Twenty-eight professionals were interviewed, including 14 physicians and 14 nurses. Data collection took place between the months of December 2016 and June 2017 through an instrument developed by the academics, based on the Ministry of Health’s year 2015. For statistical analysis, the data analysis program Epi Info 7 Software developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The nurses were able to obtain better answers regarding the physicians when asked about issues related to affected structures, interruption / loss of treatment, differentiation of MB and PB cases, duration of treatment for both cases, and the relation of immunity to leprosy, due to its On the other hand, physicians presented better results when asked about localizations, composition of MDT, meaning of the ROM scheme, referral to the referral center, destination for BCG vaccination groups, and common lesions. Considering also that both nurses and physicians had the same number of answers when asked about the sequence for care, main nerves affected, meaning of MDT, difference in PB and MB regimen, recurrence of disease, confirmation of relapse, time of interdomi- lary contact and transmission of the Bacillus when starting treatment. It is concluded that the great difficulties encountered in the treatment and diagnosis show the importance of continuing education.