Participação social e qualidade de vida de pessoas atingidas pela hanseníase

Abstract

People affected by leprosy may experience restrictions on their participation in daily life situations, even without disabilities. The quality of life of these people can also be influenced by the disease, affecting in various dimensions. The study aimed to characterize the social participation and the quality standards of life of people affected by leprosy treated at University Hospital Walter Cantídio in Fortaleza, from January 2010 to July 2014. It is a cross-sectional population study. Data collection occurred from May to November 2014. The study population consisted of 102 people affected by leprosy accompanied at the Dermatology Clinic of the hospital. People were invite by telephone or when they came to the clinic. Data were collected through the application of the scales of participation and quality of life, WHOQOL-BREF (in the general population) and WHOQOL-OLD (from 60 years), as recommended by WHO. The ethical aspects were respected as required by the National Health Council Resolution 466/12 and was approved by the Ethics Committee in the UFC Research under the opinion 662,240, and also by the University Hospital of the CEP Walter Cantídio the UFC in the opinion 721,299. Predominated the economically active population, with incomplete primary education and living in Fortaleza. The degree of disability in the diagnostic different from zero, and the leprosy reaction, were present in 29,4 and 48,15, of the study population, respectively. It was observed that a 84,6% of the participants presented significant restriction on social participation.The mild restriction was present in 8.8% of the study population. 53,7% of the study participants rated their quality of life as good and showed satisfaction with their health. According to the WHOQOL-bref, the quality of life of people affected by leprosy was considered good in all areas: physical, psychological, social relationships and environment. For the WHOQOL-OLD, the quality of life of those affected by leprosy greater than 60 years was considered good in the following facets: sensory abilities, autonomy, social participation, death and dying and intimacy. The facet past, present and future activities was characterized as excellent quality of life. Thus, we see the need to investigate social participation and quality of life of people affected by leprosy to the planning and implementation of actions that provide a more effective care to ease the hardships caused by disease.