PRÁTICAS DE ENFERMAGEM EM HANSENÍASE: RELATO DE EXPERIÊNCIA EM UMA ESTRATÉGIA SAÚDE DA FAMÍLIA (ESF)

Introduction: Leprosy is considered a chronic disease with slow evolution, caused by Mycobacterium leprae, which infects skin cells and peripheral nerves. This disease has been characterized as a major public health problem and a challenge for nursing professionals in the Family Health Strategy (RODRIGUES et al, 2015). The nurse has an essential role in the leprosy prevention process, being responsible for planning, carrying out assistance actions, carrying out health education, carrying out active searches and controlling patients and contacts (SILVA et al, 2016). Objective: To report the experience of nursing students during nursing consultations and educational practices in the Family Health Strategy. Methodology: This is an experience report, with participatory organization about the tasks developed in an ESF, located in the city of Belém-PA, in January 2018, during the “Project Experiences”. Results and Discussion: During the experience in the FHS, nursing consultations were held with users with suspected leprosy and confirmed cases. Among the activities, the following stand out: general and dermato-neurological physical examination, request for laboratory tests, filling in the compulsory notification forms, guidance on self-administered and supervised doses of medications, clarification of complaints, side effects of treatment with polychemotherapy scheme, surveillance of intra-household contacts and instructions on the prevention of disabilities and rehabilitation. Lectures on leprosy were given through the expository technique, in which symptoms, diagnosis, form of transmission and treatment were addressed, highlighting the importance of adherence to treatment and prevention. At the moment, issues related to the feeling of discrimination experienced by people affected by leprosy were addressed. Conclusion: Nursing consultations, active search and educational practices are necessary tools to clarify the forms of leprosy prevention and treatment. However, there was a lack of knowledge and prejudice in relation to leprosy, which makes it difficult to carry out control and prophylaxis measures.