Impacto da dor sobre a qualidade de vida de pessoa com histórico de hanseníase.

Abstract

Leprosy reactions are the main causes of pain in patients with a history of leprosy, being of great relevance in public health due to the physical and psychological suffering they cause, interfering in the daily routine of the affected people. The aim of this study was to analyze people's perceptions of leprosy history about the impact of pain on their quality of life. It is a descriptive research with qualitative approach carried out at the primary health care post, located in the municipality of Brazil-PB. As inclusion criteria it was established that participants had a history of pain arising from leprosy and preserved verbal communication, and of exclusion, unable to be contacted in the period of data collection. The sociodemographic data were presented through descriptive statistics and subjective, by Bardin's content analysis method, subsequently the results were discussed in accordance with the relevant literature. The study complied with the ethical issues of resolution 466/12 of the National Health Council, respecting the aspects that involve research with human beings, assuring the freedom, dignity, autonomy and anonymity of respondents, having been approved by the Research Ethics Committee under number 2,357,565. Nine people with leprosy pain have participated in the research. Most of the respondents were female, married, with an average age of 48 years; of race/Black color (autopronounced); With income of a minimum wage, and with low degree of education. Three categories were built: Category 1- Aspects of pain in the personal, family and social context; Category 2 – Accessibility to health services; Category 3-quality of life. It was evidenced that pain impacts negatively on the personal, family and social aspects of the respondents, as well as the assistance accessibility to health services is considered unsatisfactory for neuropathic pain. In this way the pain causes a decrease in the quality of life of the subjects, requiring urgent changes that enable a dignified and harmonious life.