Social-epidemiologic and clinical profile of elderly people affected by leprosy: contributions to nursing

Objective: tracing the social-epidemiologic and clinical profile of old people affected by leprosy. Method: a descriptive study of a quantitative approach, with a sample of 60 elderly people affected by leprosy, in two rehabilitation centers in São Luís (MA). A semi-structured questionnaire was used, containing identification data, social epidemiologic and clinical aspects, analyzed by the program EpiInfo version 7. Results: among the elderly, most were between 60 to 69 years old (53,3%), male (58,3%), brown color (66,6%), married (45%) and up to 6 (six) household contacts (76,6%). In relation to the operational rating, 95% were Multibacillary forms, with predominance to the Dimorphic (60%) and Wirchowiana (25,5%), the majority in 1 degree of disability (45%) and making use of multidrug therapy/Multibacillary/12 doses (93%). Conclusion: this information can contribute to different aspects and managerial assistance, as well as make it possible to provide integral care as advocates the principles and guidelines of the Unified Health System