Leprosy after release from treatment in the Brazilian Unified Health System: aspects for access in the Northeast region

Universal access to health services represents a complex process of inter-relationships between users and health services. In a broader sense it includes economic, technical, political and symbolic aspects. For neglected diseases such as leprosy, this is a major challenge. This cross-sectional study aims to characterize access to health care services for people affected by leprosy after release from treatment in the cities of Sobral and Fortaleza. The study included a representative sample 10% of those concluding treatment from 2003 to 2005 (304 cases). Participants were characterized regarding socio demographic and clinical variables and access to health services after release from treatment. The study population was mostly male (58%), physical disabilities (34%) and with leprosy reactions (37%). The biomedical approach of leprosy reactions contemplated in large part to search for and supply of care in this period. The access to care after discharge was particularly weak in rehabilitative interventions such as surgery and psychological attention. We identified important gaps in the operationalization of attention to people affected after release from treatment in both cities. The date also shows the negligence of leprosy as a chronic condition and the resulting difficulties regarding on integrated distance to the comprehensive approach to people with leprosy after release from treatment in the Unified Health System (SUS).