Análise do conhecimento de médicos, enfermeiros e fisioterapeutas da atenção básica em saúde de uma capital do nordeste brasileiro sobre a avaliação do grau de incapacidade física em pacientes com hanseníase

Abstract

The main problems arising from leprosy are physical disabilities. Such disabilities can be permanent, as Hansen's bacillus affects peripheral nerves, affecting motor, sensitive and autonomic fibers, making patients more susceptible to accidents, burns, wounds and even amputations, resulting in social and psychological damage that interfere in the quality of life of these individuals. The city of Maceió is the absolute record holder in number of new cases in the State of Alagoas. The Ministry of Health has developed recommendations for the assessment of the Degree of Physical Disability (GIF) in leprosy patients, which should be performed on all patients at various times: at diagnosis, every three months during treatment and at discharge for cure, using the simplified neurological assessment, composed of tests that assess the neurological function (sensory and motor) of eyes, hands and feet. However, the data made available by the State Health Department show that, in the last 10 years, 15% of patients in the capital of Alagoas did not have their GIF evaluated when diagnosed. This research aims to analyze the knowledge of these professionals regarding the assessment of the degree of physical disability in leprosy. This is quantitative, observational, analytical, cross-sectional research. A specific form was Applied involving 38 doctors, 40 nurses and 08 physiotherapists working in Basic Health Units in the city of Maceió-AL. The results obtained demonstrating that these professionals do not have extensive knowledge regarding the evaluation of GIF.