AVALIAÇÃO DOS INDICADORES EPIDEMIOLÓGICOS DA HANSENÍASE NA REGIÃO NORTE DO BRASIL

Leprosy represents a serious public health problem in Brazil, with the North region standing out in this scenario. This study analyzed the epidemiology of leprosy in Northern Brazil through an epidemiological, retrospective, cross-sectional study, with a quantitative and descriptive approach, carried out using data from the Information System for Notifiable Diseases of the Unified Health System and the Special Epidemiological Bulletin and No. 51 between the years 2013-2019. 281,150 thousand cases were recorded in Brazil between 2014-2018, 9.73% in the North. The annual detection rates were classified as very high throughout the period, there were 3614 cases in children under 15 years old and a predominance of multibacillary cases. The percentage of contacts examined and of cure were considered regular, and the identification of grade 2 disabilities as medium. Tocantins stands out with the highest annual detection rate in the North, being classified as hyper endemic. The increase in leprosy cases is associated with regions of lower socioeconomic status, late diagnosis and non-adherence to treatment. Thus, it is necessary to improve the health teams, to strengthen strategies in primary care together with educational and social projects that can contribute to the elimination of this endemic disease.