Stigma associated with hansen’s disease and its relation to control actions

Abstract

Objective: to analyze the stigma associated with Hansen’s disease from the perspective of health professionals and managers and its relation to the control actions in municipalities of the micro-region of Araçuaí. Method: this is a qualitative study conducted in six municipalities. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 54 participants, from February to August 2009. The thematic content analysis was used for the treatment and analysis of data. Results: the weak involvement of primary care in the control actions, the detachment of health professionals and the lack of knowledge of the population about the signs and symptoms of the disease contribute to late diagnosis. This favors the maintenance of the negative perceptions of the population towards Hansen’s disease. Conclusion: strengthening the primary health care and publicizing the disease are strategies to cope with the operational challenges of the control of Hansen’s disease.