CLINICAL AND EPIDEMIOLOGICAL RESEARCH STRATEGY OF LEPROSY
Leprosy; Therapy; Diagnosis; Psychic suffering.
Leprosy is a chronic granulomatous infection whose etiological agent is Mycobacterium leprae. It is a very contagious disease with a high infectivity rate, allowing it to easily spread among people. It affects the skin and peripheral nerves, and in more severe cases, lymph nodes and bone marrow. The treatment allows the transmission chain to be broken, as once treatment begins, the individual no longer transmits the disease. Therefore, the general objective of this study is to carry out a clinical and epidemiological investigation of patients affected by Leprosy, referred by Primary Care and subsequently treated at a Dermatological Center located in Cariri. As well as patients who arrive at the unit on demand. The field activity covered two categories from July to December 2024, one carried out with patients suspected of having a diagnosis of leprosy and the other with their family members, the year 2025 was reserved for the construction of the article. The methodology adopted in the research project is a descriptive, documentary, cross-sectional correlational study with a quantitative approach, based on data collected from semi-structured questionnaires carried out with a total of 300 participants. The research procedure involved data collection using the following instruments: (I) Socio-demographic Profile Questionnaire; (II) Leprosy suspicion questionnaire (QHS); (III) Beck Depression Inventory (BDI); (IV) Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and (V) Family Questionnaire. The completed questionnaires will be digitized into a database using the Excel® program version 2019. Fisher's test will be performed to check possible associations between variables using the R-Stúdio Software version 4.3.2 for descriptive and inferential statistical analysis of the data. And the Chi-square test to evaluate the patients' sociodemographic parameters. To assess the reliability of the BAI and BDI instruments, internal consistency analysis will be carried out using Cronbach's Alpha Coefficient. During the research development period, several aspects will be analyzed with the aim of characterizing the direct and indirect factors related to late diagnosis of Leprosy. Also evaluate the psychological impacts caused by the consequences caused by the disease. With the conclusion of the results, it is expected to define guidelines that contribute to the early detection of Leprosy, breaking the chain of dissemination through early diagnosis and initiation of treatment.