Hanseníase em gestantes no Tocantins: análise do perfil clínico e socioepidemiológico associado ao abandono do tratamento

Abstract

Leprosy is a disease caused by the bacillus Mycobacterium leprae, characterized by high infectivity and low pathogenicity. Diagnosis, treatment, and cure are fraught with several challenges, especially in pregnant women. This study aims to analyze the profile of pregnant women who abandoned leprosy treatment in the State of Tocantins, considering the socioepidemiological and clinical aspects between 2013 and 2023, through a descriptive approach and analysis of secondary data made available by the State Health Department of Tocantins. The results showed a total of 63 pregnant women diagnosed with leprosy. The predominant age group was 15 and 49 years – reproductive age - (87,3%), with 30.2% of pregnant women in the second trimester of pregnancy. Furthermore, 69.8% self-reported their race/skin color as brown, 19% had incomplete high school education, 81% lived in urban areas, and 33.3% were housewives. Regarding clinical characteristics, 60,3% presented a dimorphic clinical form, 66.7% were classified as Multibacillary at diagnosis, and 58.7% presented initial physical disability grade 0. All pregnant women were new cases, and 52.4% were diagnosed spontaneously. The most commonly used initial therapeutic regimen was single-dose polychemotherapy (MCT/MB/12 doses) (69.8%), 39.7% presented current Physical Disability Grade 0, and, at the time of analysis, 60.3% were still undergoing treatment with this regimen. The study also revealed that 69.8% of pregnant women were discharged after recovery, while the dropout rate was 17%. The findings reinforce the importance of developing specific strategies for this population group, as well as the need to qualify health professionals involved in the care of pregnant women with leprosy