Importance of epidemiological surveillance of leprosy: analysis of the occurrence of leprosy in intra-domiciliary contacts in a capital in the Brazilian northeast region

Abstract INTRODUCTION Intra-domiciliary contacts are a group with the highest risk of developing leprosy. METHODS A cross-sectional study of intra-domiciliary contacts of new leprosy cases was conducted. A descriptive analysis of the variables was performed. RESULTS Among 190 contacts, 63% were invited to visit the health unit, and 54.2% received the BCG vaccine. The prevalence of leprosy among the contacts was 4.7%. CONCLUSIONS The occurrence of leprosy among the contacts was high and similar to that found previously. There were failures in surveillance actions carried out by health units. Never-before treated cases were found.

摘要
引言：居家接触者是麻风病发病风险最高的人群。
方法：本研究针对新确诊麻风病例的居家接触者开展横断面研究，并对相关变量进行描述性分析。
结果：在190名居家接触者中，63%受邀前往卫生机构就诊，54.2%接种了卡介苗（BCG Vaccine）；该群体的麻风病患病率为4.7%。
结论：该群体的麻风病发病情况较为严峻，与既往研究结果相近；卫生机构的监测工作存在疏漏；同时发现了此前从未接受过治疗的麻风病例。