Abstract
This study analyzes the decentralization process of Leprosy control actions for Family Health Strategy units in the cities of the Almenara micro-region, in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. This qualitative research, based on the concept "Technological Organization of Work", was carried out in nine municipalities. Semi-structured interviews and document research were used for data collection. Forty-five interviews with care providers and health managers were conducted. The data collection took place between November 2007 and February 2008. Content Analysis was utilized to study the data and results indicate that the cities present different levels of decentralization and that the process was determined based on local specifications and on the engagement of care providers and health managers. Several cities kept a reference team to provide support to primary health care. The conclusion is that the decentralization process is a strategy that proves to be useful in facing Leprosy in the micro-region.
Highlights
Leprosy is still a public health problem in Brazil
In World Health Organization (WHO) statistics for 2008, the country ranks second in absolute numbers of new cases detected [38,914], with 52.4% of these cases being diagnosed as multibacillary forms; 5.9% with level II physical disability and 7.0% in people younger than 15 years[1]
Local health services may not be capable of capturing all existing cases in the region[4] and the Almenara micro-region includes cities that are considered priorities to control this endemic disease in Minas Gerais
Summary
Leprosy is still a public health problem in Brazil. In World Health Organization (WHO) statistics for 2008, the country ranks second in absolute numbers of new cases detected [38,914], with 52.4% of these cases being diagnosed as multibacillary forms; 5.9% with level II physical disability and 7.0% in people younger than 15 years[1].Spatial occupation patterns strongly influence leprosy, with unequal distribution and concentration in the poorest locations[2,3]. Leprosy is still a public health problem in Brazil. In World Health Organization (WHO) statistics for 2008, the country ranks second in absolute numbers of new cases detected [38,914], with 52.4% of these cases being diagnosed as multibacillary forms; 5.9% with level II physical disability and 7.0% in people younger than 15 years[1]. Spatial occupation patterns strongly influence leprosy, with unequal distribution and concentration in the poorest locations[2,3]. The Vale do Jequitinhonha – the region with the worst socioeconomic indicators in the State of Minas Gerais, fits into this profile. The region comprises five micro-regions that have displayed leprosy prevention and control problems. Local health services may not be capable of capturing all existing cases in the region[4] and the Almenara micro-region includes cities that are considered priorities to control this endemic disease in Minas Gerais.
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