Self-care in leprosy from the perspective of operative groups: a qualitative approach

Objectives: To analyze a self-care support group for people affected by leprosy from the perspective of operative groups. Method: A qualitative study of the explanatory type, carried out in a health unit in a municipality of Pernambuco. Content analysis was carried out, in the thematic analysis proposed by Bardin. Results: The results indicated characteristics of the group related to the six vectors of the Pichon-Rivière theory: affiliation and belonging, cooperation, pertinence, communication, learning and tele. Discussion: The monitoring of a self-care group in leprosy provides a range of meanings and reflections. Being part of a group increases the opportunities for rebuilding self-confidence, self-esteem and insertion in the community. Conclusion: The leprosy self-care support group in focus is characterized as an operative group. Studies that investigate the implicit factors of the SCGs are still needed, especially with regard to the characteristics of the groups in the different health units.