01392nas a2200193   4500000000100000008004100001653001200042653002300054653001500077653001100092100001400103700001200117700001300129700001200142700002000154245004800174490000700222520096900229       2013                            d10aleprosy10aHousehold contacts10aPrevention10aBrazil1 aTemoteo R1 aSouza M1 aFarias M1 aAbreu L1 aMartins Netto E00a[Leprosy: evaluation in household contacts]0 v383 aIntroduction: The household contacts of leprosy are means for the maintenance of the disease. Objective: To identify the reasons why household contacts have not sought the Family Health Unit (FHU) for the dermatoneurological exam, in the municipality of Cajazeiras (PB). Methods: Exploratory descriptive study with a qualitative approach, performed in three FHU of the mentioned municipality. Data were collected through interviews, by applying semi-structured script, during visits to 31 contactsof leprosy cases. The data were treated from Bardin´s contentanalysis. Results: The main reason for not performing the dermato-neurological examination was the absence of signs and symptoms of leprosy, and feelings such as fear of examination, distrust of service, among others. Conclusion: Household contacts have not sought the Family Health Unit (FHU) for the dermato-neurological exam for lack of informationprovided by health professionals who serve at the FHS.