Introduction:
The effectiveness of leprosy control actions depends on the quality of records in notification forms and medical charts. The incompleteness of these documents hinders epidemiological analysis and disease management. Thus, this study analyzes how such gaps affect case monitoring and efficiency of actions in Primary Health Care Units, focusing on realities in Cuiabá and Várzea Grande, Mato Grosso.
Methodology:
A retrospective review of 105 medical records was conducted in Primary Health Care Units and a Specialty Center in Cuiabá and Várzea Grande. This research was approved by the Research Ethics Committee under opinion number 6.836.110/2024.
Results:
A total of 105 records were reviewed: 23 from the Basic Health Unit (UBS, Cuiabá), 52 from the Várzea Grande UBS, and 30 from the Specialty Center (Várzea Grande). High levels of missing data were found in the UBS, including residence (87%), education (17.4%), occupation (13%), and clinical information such as number of lesions, clinical form, and affected nerves (8.7%). Records of physical disability were missing at diagnosis (26.1%) and discharge (17.4%). At the Várzea Grande UBS, 86.5% of clinical forms were complete, but address, bacilloscopy (90.4%), and contact information were absent. Records at the Specialty Center were complete and consistent.
Conclusions:
The high levels of data incompleteness in charts from Basic Health Units in Cuiabá and Várzea Grande compromise leprosy control, hindering case monitoring and disability assessment. The discrepancy with complete records from the Specialty Center highlights the need for training and standardization in Primary Care to improve public health actions.