02404nas a2200253   4500000000100000008004100001260001900042653002400061653004000085653001200125653002300137653002200160653001100182100002400193700001700217700003500234700003100269245009100300856026000391300001100651490000700662520146700669022001402136       2026                            d  c06/2026bLepra10aHealth surveillance10aEquity in access to health services10aLeprosy10areactional leprosy10aendemic countries10aBrazil1 aLarissa de Arruda V1 aCortela DDCB1 aMargarida Benevides Ferreira S1 aRodrigues de Souza Silva P00aJourney of a patient with a reactional episode of leprosy in an endemic area of Brazil  uhttps://scholar.google.nl/scholar_url?url=https://leprosyreview.org/article/97/2/20-25137&hl=nl&sa=X&d=13569579631702191472&ei=4H0Zau_lCK2k6rQP-LqXyAc&scisig=AFyMTJVAEGyEFLVtlS5JcWsfUdhv&oi=scholaralrt&hist=732gnZIAAAAJ:2504567022825440215:AFyMTJWmR8U_-4O  a1 - 120 v973 a<p><strong>Objectives</strong></p>

<p>The study aimed to understand the journey of patients with reactional episodes of leprosy treated at a specialised outpatient clinic in the state of Mato Grosso, considered the most endemic state in the country.</p>

<p><strong>Methods</strong></p>

<p>Qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory study with 11 individuals who experienced reactional episodes. Data collection was carried out through audio-recorded interviews, guided by a semi-structured interview instrument, and the data were analysed using content analysis.</p>

<p><strong>Results</strong></p>

<p>The reports showed long journeys in time and space, marked by errors and delays in the diagnosis of both leprosy and its reactional episodes, reflecting the difficulty of health professionals in recognising the disease early.</p>

<p><strong>Conclusion</strong></p>

<p>Stigma and prejudice were factors that triggered complications and negative feelings about the patient and his life. The weaknesses in the healthcare network demonstrate the need to strengthen primary care, improve control actions, and establish effective care flows for these patients, preventing complications such as disabilities and physical deformities. Ongoing training of health professionals is essential to guarantee comprehensive care, as well as promoting early diagnosis, health education, autonomy, and emotional support for patients and their families.</p>
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