Aspects of the socio-environmental dynanmics of leprosy in the municipality of Buriticupu, state of Maranhão, Brazil

Abstract

Leprosy is a chronic disease with high infectology, although with low pathogenicity. Those properties with to etiological agent, host, and the degree of endemicity of the environment. The municipality of Buriticupu and Maranhão has a history of endemicity. Between 2010 and 2014, in Buriticupu, a total of 272 cases were recorded between 2015 and 2017 the annual average of the cases was 35, reinforcing issues of the relationship of socio-environmental characteristics with the disease. Descriptive quantitative method, statistical models, and multivariate analysis were used, with questionnaires, field research, and geoprocessing in spatial representations. It evidenced a
direct association of the most severe forms of leprosy with a low level of education and population income. Of the total respondents, 42% are retired, 38% are farmers. The education variable was decisive in diagnosis and treatment, impacting leprosy reduction policies. In the health service, barriers are diagnosis, late diagnosis, treatment dropout identified. The patients’ economic limitations and lack of knowledge allowed leprosy to remain in the area just as the social characteristics of the municipality.