Leprosy in Colombia: A look from life experience.

Leprosy continues to be stigmatized, causing harm to fundamental rights, pain and hopelessness in those who have suffered from it and their families. From its relationship with public and mental health, effective strategies must be implemented to reduce stigma and unlearn myths and wrong perceptions, support families, and improve quality of life through early care and detection. This article shows that those affected by leprosy are capable, functional people with much to contribute to society anywhere in the world.

The life experience of leprosy families in maintaining interaction patterns in the family to support healing in leprosy patients in Indonesian society. A phenomenological qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Family involvement in overcoming the severity of leprosy is very important in the life of leprosy sufferers in communities who experience the clinical and, psychological, social and behavioral consequences of the disease. However, this need, psychosocial, is felt to be not optimal. This study is to identify how the experiences of family members as caregivers provide assistance to individuals with leprosy in improving healing and maintaining patterns of interaction in the family. METHODS: The design uses qualitative research with in-depth, face-to-face interviews with family members in a semi-structured manner with the hope of obtaining complete data. Using purposive sampling with Participatory Interpretative Phenomenology analysis, there are 12 families with 15 family members consisting of 4 men and 11 women. RESULTS: This study produced a family theme that tried to follow what would happen to individuals with leprosy, with four sub-categories: 1) Using various coping alternatives to recognize the disease, 2) Family members in the shadow of leprosy, 3) Trying to empathize with other family members. sick, 4) Caring for the emotional response of the family and seeking support. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis shows that deficiency in cognitive aspects can be closed by maintaining a lifestyle in the family through efforts to understand, support, establish communication, increase maximum involvement in restoring self-confidence, especially in individuals with leprosy with psychosocial problems in the family. The results of this study can be used as psychosocial support in maintaining communication between family members to support treatment programs and accelerate the recovery of leprosy.

Hanseníase: internamento compulsório e os percalços familiares à luz da história oral / Leprosy: compulsory internment and family mishaps in the light of oral history / Lepra: hospitalización obligatoria y contratiempos familiares a la luz de la historia oral

Introdução: a hanseníase é uma doença secular mantida por muitos anos como incurável, levando à segregação do doente. Os mecanismos excludentes contra o leproso tinham a premissa de proteger a população sadia, ao mesmo tempo em que se constituíam como empecilhos à manutenção do vínculo familiar. Objetivo: analisar o efeito do tratamento compulsório da hanseníase em hospitais-colônias nas relações familiares, na perspectiva daquele que possui parentesco com um ex-doente. Método: estudo qualitativo, utilizando-se da história oral temática. A colônia foi composta pelos 52 familiares de ex-doentes de hanseníase e a rede por 10 colaboradores, de ambos os sexos, com idade de 44 a 76 anos. Utilizou-se a entrevista, com questões abrangentes, submetida à análise temática de conteúdo. A pesquisa foi aprovada com Parecer de nº 650.654/2014. Resultados: mediante a análise, emergiram três categorias: desestruturação da organização familiar, distanciamento familiar e alteração no suporte familiar, os quais abordam as consequências nas relações familiares, estabelecidas mediante a experiência de se ter um parente acometido pela lepra e vitimado pelo internamento compulsório em hospitais-colônias. O distanciamento modificou as relações e o vínculo familiar entre os ex-doentes de lepra tratados em ambiente asilar e seus familiares. Conclusão: as histórias narradas relatam danos vivenciados no passado como consequência da ruptura familiar sofrida pelos colaboradores do estudo frente à política adotada como profilaxia e controle da lepra. Diante dessa parte do histórico da doença relatada no presente estudo, e de suas características epidemiológicas, torna-se relevante considerar a subjetividade dos indivíduos com hanseníase, proporcionando cuidado integral.(AU)

Introduction: leprosy is a secular disease maintained for many years as incurable, leading to segregation of the patient. The exclusionary mechanisms against the leper had the premise of protecting the healthy population, while they constituted obstacles to the maintenance of the family bond. Objective: to analyze the effect of compulsory leprosy treatment in hospital-colonies on family relationships, from the perspective of those who are related to a ex-patient. Method: qualitative study, using thematic oral history. The colony was composed of 52 relatives of ex-leprosy patients and the network of 10 collaborators, of both sexes, aged 44 to 76 years. The interview was used, with comprehensive questions, submitted to thematic content analysis. The survey was approved with Opinion No. 650,654/2014...(AU)

Introducción: la lepra es una enfermedad secular considerada durante muchos años como incurable, segregando al paciente. Los mecanismos de exclusión contra el leproso tenían la premisa de proteger a la población sana, al mismo tiempo que constituían obstáculos para el mantenimiento del vínculo familiar. Objetivo: analizar el efecto del tratamiento obligatorio de la lepra en hospitales-colonias sobre las relaciones familiares, desde la perspectiva de alguien relacionado con un ex paciente. Método: estudio cualitativo, utilizando historia oral temática. La colonia estaba compuesta por 52 familiares de ex pacientes de lepra y la red de 10 colaboradores, de ambos sexos, de 44 a 76 años. Se utilizó la entrevista con preguntas amplias, sometidas a análisis de contenido temático. La encuesta fue aprobada con el dictamen No. 650,654 / 2014. Resultados: a través del análisis surgieron tres categorías: desestructuración de la organización familiar, distanciamiento familiar y cambios en el apoyo familiar, que enfocan las consecuencias en las relaciones familiares, establecidas a través de la experiencia de tener un familiar afectado por la lepra y victimizado por la internación obligatoria en hospitalescolonias. El distanciamiento alteró las relaciones y el vínculo entre los ex pacientes con lepra tratados en un entorno de asilo y sus familiares. Conclusión: las historias narradas reportan daños sufridos en el pasado como consecuencia de la ruptura familiar de los participantes del estudio ante la política adoptada como profilaxis y control de la lepra. En vista de esta parte de la historia de la enfermedad reportada en el presente estudio, y de sus características epidemiológicas, resulta relevante considerar la subjetividad de las personas con lepra, brindando atención integral.(AU)

Neglected tropical disease as a 'biographical disruption': Listening to the narratives of affected persons to develop integrated people centred care in Liberia.

BACKGROUND: Integrated disease management, disability and inclusion (DMDI) for NTDs is increasingly prioritised. There is limited evidence on the effectiveness of integrated DMDI from the perspective of affected individuals and how this varies by differing axes of inequality such as age, gender, and disability. We used narrative methods to consider how individuals' unique positions of power and privilege shaped their illness experience, to elucidate what practical and feasible steps could support integrated DMDI in Liberia and beyond. METHODS: We purposively selected 27 participants affected by the clinical manifestations of lymphatic filariasis, leprosy, Buruli Ulcer, and onchocerciasis from three counties in Liberia to take part in illness narrative interviews. Participants were selected to ensure maximum variation in age, gender and clinical manifestation. Narrative analysis was grounded within feminist intersectional theory. FINDINGS: For all participants, chronic illness, morbidity and disability associated with NTDs represented a key moment of 'biographical disruption' triggering the commencement of a restitution narrative. Complex health seeking pathways, aetiologies and medical syncretism meant that adoption of the 'sick role' was initially acceptable, but when the reality of permanency of condition was identified, a transition to periods of chaos and significant psycho-social difficulty occurred. An intersectional lens emphasises how biographical disruption is mediated by intersecting social processes. Gender, generation, and disability were all dominant axes of social inequity shaping experience. SIGNIFICANCE: This is one of the first studies to use narrative approaches to interrogate experience of chronic disabling conditions within LMICs and is the only study to apply such an analysis to NTDs. The emotive power of narrative should be utilised to influence the value base of policy makers to ensure that DMDI strategies respond holistically to the needs of the most marginalised, thus contributing to more equitable people-centred care.

Tsara'at/hanseníase: caminhos trilhados por familiares de ex-doentes tratados em ambiente asilar / Tsara'at/leprosy: paths taken by relatives of former patients treated in the asylum environment / Tsara'at/lepra: caminos tomados por los familiares de los pacientes tratados en el entorno de asilo

Objetivo: Averiguar a compreensão que familiares de ex-doentes de hanseníase tratados em hospitais colônia têm sobre a doença. Método: Estudo qualitativo, enfocando a história oral temática. Os 52 familiares de ex-doentes de lepra que foram segregados no Hospital Colônia São Francisco de Assis compuseram a colônia. A rede foi constituída por 10 colaboradores, ambos os sexos, com idade entre 44 a 76 anos. A coleta de dados foi norteada por questões abertas que direcionaram as lembranças dos colaboradores para o propósito do estudo. As entrevistas foram gravadas, transcrita e analisadas pela análise temática de conteúdo. A pesquisa foi aprovada pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, CAAE 25922214.3.0000.5537. Resultados: Identificaram-se duas categorias: a história no passado e a história no presente. Conclusão: Os entrevistados refletiram sobre política de controle da lepra no passado, assim como a adotada no presente frente à hanseníase

Objective: To assess the understanding that relatives of former leprosy patients treated in hospitals colony have about the disease. Method: Qualitative study, focusing on oral history. The 52 relatives of former leprosy patients who were segregated in Cologne Hospital São Francisco de Assis composed the colony. The network consisted of 10 employees, both sexes, aged 44-76 years. Data collection was guided by guiding questions that directed the memories of employees for the purpose of the study. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and analyzed for thematic content analysis. The research was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, CAAE 25922214.3.0000.5537. Results: Resulting in two categories: The story and the last story in this. Conclusion: Respondents reflected rise leprosy control policy in the past, as well as adopted in the present front of the disease

Objetivo: Conocer el entendimiento de que los familiares de los ex pacientes de lepra tratados en hospitales colonia tienen sobre la enfermedad. Método: Estudio cualitativo, centrándose en la historia oral. Los 52 familiares de los ex pacientes de lepra segregados en Colonia Hospital São Francisco de Assis componen la colonia. La red se formó por 10 empleados, de ambos sexos, con edades entre 44-76 años. La recolección de datos fue guiado por preguntas abiertas se centraron en el propósito del estudio. Las entrevistas fueron grabadas, transcritas, analizadas para el análisis de contenido temático. Fue aprobado por el Comité de Ética de la Universidad Federal de Rio Grande do Norte, CAAE 25922214.3.0000.5537. Resultados: Lo que resulta en dos categorías: La historia y la última historia en esto. Conclusión: Los encuestados reflejaron suba política de control de la lepra en el pasado, así como adoptó en el presente frente a la enfermedad

Vivência e sentimentos de mulheres portadoras de hanseníase / Experience and feelings of women with leprosy

Objetivo: conhecer a vivência e os sentimentos de mulheres com hanseníase. Método: estudo qualitativo, descritivo e exploratório, realizado com 15 mulheres. Os dados foram produzidos por meio de entrevista semiestruturada, com perguntas abertas e fechadas, e um roteiro com questões norteadoras. Os dados foram analisados pela técnica de Análise de Conteúdo. Resultados: cinco categorias foram definidas após o processo de análise: >, >, >, >, >. Conclusão: os resultados mostraram que a hanseníase deixa marcas profundas na vida das mulheres como medo, insegurança, exclusão social, necessitando, portanto, da assistência humanizada, por parte dos profissionais de saúde, e do apoio das pessoas do seu convívio, para o enfrentamento da doença.

[Life experiences of Korean patients with Hansen's disease in Sorok Island Hospital].

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify life experiences of Korean patients with Hansen's disease (leprosy). METHODS: For this study, 5 participants from Sorok Island Hospital were purposively chosen. Data were collected through in-depth individual interviews from June to July 2014. Data analysis method was based on Colaizzi's approach. RESULTS: The study results showed that experiences of patients with Hansen's disease consisted of 14 themes and six theme clusters: 1) Bad disease approaching as fate; 2) Family breakup and far from the village; 3) New life in Sorok Island Hospital; 4) Treatment of Hansen's disease and disability; 5) Life in the disease community; 6) Comfort and hope of life. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study indicate that health care professionals should pay attention to patients with Hansen's disease not only to reduce their physical and psychological suffering, but also to help the community and public culture to reduce the social stigma surrounding this disease and causing suffering for the patients. The results of the present study can help us to have a better understanding of various aspects of patients' lived experiences.

An exploration of health, family and economic experiences of leprosy patients, Iran.

This study aims to explore the life experiences of Iranian leprosy patients in health, family and economic dimensions. Mycobacterium leprae is responsible for leprosy, a type of chronic inflammatory disease that existed from ancient times, still hearing the name of leprosy creates an awful imagination of cutting the organ, blindness and isolation and it has still remained as a serious social problem. The patients are confronted with particular problems physically and mentally. The phenomenological tradition was used to gain knowledge of the leprosy patients lived experiences. Data analysis method was based on Colaizzi's approach. This is a qualitative research using purposeful sampling, interviewing the leprosy patients referring to a contagious diseases department of the Health Network of Nourabad Lorestan City. Data were collected by interviews those were analyzed in Colaizzi's Methods to extract the conceptual codes. Some concepts obtained from the analysis of data in the study such as physical, psychological, social, family, economic experiences, cultural beliefs of society, the context for tendency toward defect and disability and social stigma. These findings suggest that health care professionals should pay attention not only to leprosy patients to reduce their physical and psychological but also to the community and public culture to reduce the leprosy patients suffering from social stigma. The results of the present study can help us in a better understanding of all aspects of patients' lived experiences.

Motives and determinants for residence change after leprosy diagnosis, central Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the extent of population movement after diagnosis with leprosy and to describe the underlying motives and determinants for relocation. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was conducted among those newly diagnosed with leprosy in 79 endemic municipalities in the state of Tocantins, central Brazil. Individuals were identified through the National Information System for Notifiable Diseases (SINAN) database and interviewed with structured questionnaires. RESULTS: In total, 224 (20.9%) out of 1070 individuals relocated after their diagnosis with leprosy. Respondents moved to another neighbourhood in the same municipality (n = 178, 79.5%), followed by another municipality in Tocantins state (n = 26, 11.6%) and in another state (n = 11, 4.9%). The primary motives and/or determinants for relocation were: home ownership (n = 55, 28.4%), familial reasons (n = 43, 19.2%), to seek better living conditions (n = 27, 13.9%), employment (n = 26, 11.6%), and better neighbourhood (n = 22, 9.8%). Other motives were related to better access to leprosy diagnosis/treatment (n = 11, 4.9%), owner-terminated rental (n = 5, 2.2%), personal finances/could not afford housing (n = 4, 1.8%). Perceived stigma due to leprosy was mentioned by one participant (0.5%). CONCLUSION: In Tocantins state, population movement is lower among individuals recently diagnosed with leprosy, as compared to the overall population. The primary motives for relocation after leprosy diagnosis were related to lifestyle changes. Stigma and treatment-related reasons did not appear to be common motives for population movement. These results may reflect policy changes instituted from the Brazilian Program of Leprosy Control to decentralise leprosy services and intensify health education campaigns within a broader concept of Information, Education and Communication.

Representações sociais e hanseníase em São Domingos do Capim: um estudo de caso na Amazônia / Social representations and hansen's disease in São Domingos do Capim, state of Pará: a study in brazilian Amazon

Este estudo analisa as representações sociais da hanseníase em São Domingos do Capim-PA, a partir da perspectiva da antropologia da doença. As representações são compreendidas como estruturas dinâmicas socialmente construídas que fundamentam as ações dos sujeitos e dos grupos na resolução dos episódios de doença e na produção de sentido para as experiências de adoecimento. Para compreender a lógica das interpretações da doença, foram reconstituídos os itinerários terapêuticos dos doentes, a partir de dados coletados na observação de campo, realizada ao longo de quatro anos, e entrevistas narrativas com doentes, familiares e agentes comunitários de saúde. Foram deduzidas quatro categorias nosológicas êmicas referentes aos sintomas da hanseníase - "manchas", "lepra", "feitiço" e "hanseníase" -, que constituem o repertório a partir do qual as interpretações e práticas são formuladas. O uso das diferentes categorias ocorre segundo esquemas locais que permitem a avaliação dos contextos pessoal e social de irrupção da doença numa dinâmica que articula as percepções do doente e de seus familiares, as interpretações e diagnósticos de curadores tradicionais e a abordagem dos profissionais da Biomedicina. O estudo mostra que o repertório interpretativo e os meios terapêuticos da Biomedicina são reinterpretados, pelos doentes, segundo a lógica das representações e das práticas locais de saúde, e que o controle da endemia hansênica pressupõe a compreensão das dinâmicas sociais implicadas nas interpretações e práticas da doença, de forma a possibilitar o estabelecimento de uma relação dialógica entre os profissionais de saúde e os atores locais.

This study analyzes the social representations of Hansen's disease in São Domingos do Capim-PA, from the perspective of the anthropology of disease. The representations are understood as socially constructed dynamic structures that underlie the actions of individuals and groups in the resolution of episodes of illness and the production of meaning to the experience of illness. To understand the logic of the interpretations of the disease, were reconstituted the therapeutic itineraries of patients from data collected in field observations, conducted over four years, and narrative interviews with patients, family and community health workers. Were deducted four emic nosological categories regarding symptoms of Hansen's disease - "spots", "leprosy", "spell" and "leprosy" - that constitute the repertoire from which the interpretations and practices are formulated. The use of different categories occurs according to local schemes that allow the evaluation of personal and social contexts of the disease outbreak in a dynamic, articulating the perceptions of patients and their families, interpretations and diagnostic approach of traditional healers and practitioners of Biomedicine. The study shows that the interpretative repertoire and therapeutic means of Biomedicine are reinterpreted by patients, according to the logic of representations and practices of local health and that the control of leprosy requires understanding the social dynamics involved in the interpretation and practice of disease in order to enable the establishment of a dialogical relationship between health professionals and local actors.

Role of stressful life events in induction or exacerbation of psoriasis and chronic urticaria.

BACKGROUND: The possibility of a causal influence of emotional stress, especially of stressful life events, on the course of various skin diseases has long been postulated. Previous reports addressing its influence on skin psoriasis and chronic urticaria have been mainly anecdotal. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the stressful events of life within 1 year preceding onset or exacerbation of skin disease in patients of psoriasis vulgaris and chronic urticaria. METHOD: Fifty consecutive clinically diagnosed psoriasis patients and 50 consecutive clinically diagnosed chronic urticaria patients were examined clinically and administered Gurmeet Singh's presumptive stressful life events scale. RESULTS: Stressful life events were seen in 26% of the patients in the psoriasis vulgaris group and 16% of the patients in the chronic urticaria group within 1 year preceding onset or exacerbation of skin disease. In the psoriasis vulgaris group, the most common stressful life event seen was financial loss or problems (8%), followed by death of close family member (4%), sexual problems (4%), family conflict (2%), major personal illness or injury (2%), and transfer or change in working conditions (2%), failure in examinations (2%), family member unemployed (2%), illness of family member (2%), getting married or engaged (2%), miscellaneous (2%). In the chronic urticaria group, the most common stressful life event seen was death of a close family member (6%), followed by family conflict (2%), financial loss or problems (2%), sexual problems (2%), illness of family member (2%), getting married or engaged (2%), trouble at work with colleagues, superiors, or subordinates (2%), going on a pleasure trip (2%) and extramarital relations (2%). CONCLUSION: Psychological stress plays a significant role in triggering or exacerbating dermatological diseases. Our study indicates the role of relaxation therapies and stress management programs in chronic diseases such as psoriasis and chronic urticaria. Psychological interventions can help individuals to reinterpret events and develop strategies to cope with stressful events, thus decreasing morbidity due to these diseases.

Community health nursing practices in contexts of poverty, uncertainty and unpredictability: a systematization of personal experiences.

Several years of professional nursing practices, while living in the poorest neighbourhoods in the outlying areas of Brazil's Amazon region, have led the author to develop a better understanding of marginalized populations. Providing care to people with leprosy and sex workers in riverside communities has taken place in conditions of uncertainty, insecurity, unpredictability and institutional violence. The question raised is how we can develop community health nursing practices in this context. A systematization of personal experiences based on popular education is used and analyzed as a way of learning by obtaining scientific knowledge through critical analysis of field practices. Ties of solidarity and belonging developed in informal, mutual-help action groups are promising avenues for research and the development of knowledge in health promotion, prevention and community care and a necessary contribution to national public health programmers.

Community health nursing practices in contexts of poverty, uncertainty and unpredictability: a systematization of personal experiences

Several years of professional nursing practices, while living in the poorest neighbourhoods in the outlying areas of Brazil's Amazon region, have led the author to develop a better understanding of marginalized populations. Providing care to people with leprosy and sex workers in riverside communities has taken place in conditions of uncertainty, insecurity, unpredictability and institutional violence. The question raised is how we can develop community health nursing practices in this context. A systematization of personal experiences based on popular education is used and analyzed as a way of learning by obtaining scientific knowledge through critical analysis of field practices. Ties of solidarity and belonging developed in informal, mutual-help action groups are promising avenues for research and the development of knowledge in health promotion, prevention and community care and a necessary contribution to national public health programmers.

Muitos anos de prática profissional em enfermagem, vivendo nas vizinhanças mais pobres de áreas distantes da região Amazônica brasileira levaram a autora a desenvolver uma melhor compreensão das populações marginalizadas. O cuidado às pessoas com lepra e trabalhadores do sexo de comunidades ribeirinhas tem sido realizado em condições de incerteza, insegurança, imprevisibilidade e violência institucional. A questão levantada é como podemos desenvolver práticas de enfermagem na saúde da comunidade neste contexto. A sistematização de experiências pessoais baseadas na educação popular é usada e analisada como uma maneira de conhecer e obter conhecimento científico através da análise crítica das práticas da área. Laços de solidariedade e pertencimento desenvolvidos em ações de grupos informais de ajuda mútua são caminhos promissores para pesquisa e desenvolvimento do conhecimento em promoção a saúde, prevenção e cuidado à comunidade e uma contribuição necessária para os programas de saúde pública nacional.

Varios años de prácticas profesionales de enfermería, viviendo en los distritos más pobres de las áreas periféricas de la región amazónica de Brasil, llevaron o autor a desarrollar una mejor comprensión de poblaciones marginalizadas. La provisión de cuidados a personas con lepra y trabajadores del sexo en comunidades ribereñas ha sido llevado a cabo en condiciones de incertidumbre, inseguridad, imprevisibilidad y violencia institucional. Se pregunta como podemos desarrollar prácticas de enfermería en salud comunitaria en este contexto. Una sistematización de experiencias personales basada en educación popular es usada y analizada como un método de saber, obteniendo conocimiento científico mediante un análisis crítico de prácticas en el campo. Lazos de solidaridad y pertenencia desarrollados en grupos de acción informales, de ayuda mutua son caminos prometedores para la investigación y el desarrollo de conocimiento en la promoción de la salud, prevención y atención comunitaria y una contribución necesaria a programas nacionales de salud pública.

O cotidiano de ser hanseniano: um estudo de enfermagem / The daily life of being-leprous: a nursing study

Estudo sobre o cotidiano de ser hanseniano realizado com doentes em tratamento em uma Unidade de Saúde de Belém-PA que teve como objetivo compreender este cotidiano. Utilizou como referencial metodológico a fenomenologia e a hermenêutica de Martin Heidegger na análise compreensiva sobre o cotidiano do hanseniano. Evidenciou-se a perplexidade dos doentes ante sua doença, o medo de transmiti-la, a tentativa de ocultação de sua condição, as mudanças na rotina diária em conseqüência da doença e a submissão ao tratamento como a única forma de se verem curados.A interpretação mostrou que o sentimento de temor acompanha o hanseniano, pois ele teme o isolamento social que sabe que a hanseníase traz consigo e o modo de ser do impessoal nas relações sociais e com os profissionais de saúde

This is a study about the daily life of the Being-Leprous done with patients on treatment in one Health Unit of Belém – Pará – Brazil. The study aim was to understand this daily life. Phenomenology and hermeneutics of Martin Heidegger were the reference methodologies used comprehensive analysis of the daily life of the Leper. It became evident the perplexity of the patients in view of their disease, the fear of transmitting it, the attempt to hide their condition, the changes in their daily life as a consequence of Hansen’s disease and the submission to the treatment as the only hope for cure. The interpretation showed that fear comes with the leper, because the patient fears the social isolation, he/she knows what a diagnosis of Hansen’s disease brings along. Patients are aware of the impersonal treatment received in their social relations and with the health professionals.

Hanseníase: a realidade do ser adolescente / Leprosy: the reality for the adolescent

A hanseníase é uma doença contagiosa, estigmatizante, de grande potencial incapacitante, e os adolescentes por estarem numa fase de mudanças e de adaptação, esta doença pode interferir na construção de sua vida. O estudo objetiva caracterizar os adolescentes portadores de hanseníase segundo aspectos sócio-demograficos; realizar análise epidemiológico-operacional da hanseníase; verificar o conhecimento dos adolescentes sobre a hanseníase e as reações manifestadas pelos mesmos após sua descoberta; Identificar as mudanças ocorridas após a doença na vida do adolescente e as dificuldades vivenciadas pelo mesmo após a da doença. Trata-se de uma pesquisa exploratória e descritiva, constituída de 31 adolescentes portadores de hanseníase, assistido pela Estratégia Saúde da Família no Município de Sobral - Ceará. Os resultados sinalizam a necessidade de uma assistência integral e continuada ao adolescente portador de hanseníase, evitando que essa doença provoque mudanças significativas em sua vida, dificultando na construção de sua nova identidade.

Psychosocial stress in Hansen's disease: a comparison with other chronic illness patients.

The present study investigated stress, as measured by a standardized life events scale, in Hansen's disease (HD) patients and as compared to renal patients and non-illness controls. Statistical analyses indicated that experimental groups were well matched on variables of age, sex, and marital status. Regarding analyses of the life events scale, significant differences were found across groups for negative change scores and total change scores. Post-hoc analyses revealed that the outpatient HD group and the renal group were significantly different from the non-illness controls. The results are viewed as support for the hypothesis that HD patients are similar to other chronic illness groups in terms of psychosocial characteristics.