Epidemiological profile of leprosy in a municipality in the Brazilian Northeast: a retrospective analysis

Abstract

Objective: To analyze leprosy epidemiological profile in the state of Piauí, Brazil. Methods: Cross-sectional epidemiological study with retrospective collection. It was used data from the SUS Notifiable Diseases Information System of leprosy patients, for the period from 2005 to 2014. We evaluated the detection rate, degree of disability in the diagnosis and cure, and the proportion of healing. Results: It was totaled 13,787 leprosy cases, the detection rate has decreased over the years, the degree of disability to be evaluated in the diagnosis and cure showed a downward trend assessment, the cure rate was regular (%?). Conclusion: The proportion of cases detected with degree of disability and the prevalence of passive forms of detection suggest late diagnosis and confirm the importance of integrating leprosy control actions in primary care.