Abstract

ALDAMA, A et al. Leprosy Today epidemiological Considerations of the National Hospital. Rev. Nac. (Itauguá) [online]. 2009, vol.1, n.2, pp.27-30. ISSN 2072-8174.

ABSTRACT Leprosy or Hansen's disease, an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, remains a public health problem in countries like ours in the XXI century. Objective: To study the epidemiologic aspects of cases in our department over the past 10 years and detect weaknesses in the management of these patients. Methods: A retrospective, observational and descriptive study of cases of hospital outpatient and inter recorded at the Dermatology Department of the National Hospital in the period 1999 to 2009. Results: There were 184 cases, predominantly male, aged between 40 and 69 years, of multibacillary forms (lepromatous and borderline lepromatous leprosy). 35% had reactions episodes and only 42% completed the specific treatment. Of 741 patient contacts, only 46 people were controlled. Conclusions: The fight against leprosy, despite some strengths such as free distribution of specific drugs, continues to present major challenges as the large number of discontinuation and the small number of clinical examinations of persons contacted directly, especially since 82% were smear-positive patients.

Keywords : Leprosy; Endemic Diseases; Paraguay.

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