Actions of the nurse in leprosy control

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the experience of nurses who have worked at the Family Health Strategy, with patients with leprosy. Outlined is an exploratory, qualitative approach using content analysis of Bardin, whose data were obtained through semi-structured interviews with a sample of nine nurses. The content of this analysis allowed the construction of three categories that articulated the perception of nurses on direct assistance to leprosy patients, epidemiological surveillance actions and the actions of health education. The results showed that the nurse seeks to work all actions concerning the control of leprosy, from the nursing consultation to the epidemiological surveillance. We conclude that the proposed research provides important data about the work of nurse today, serving as a subsidy for new research and to improve nursing actions in relation to the problem of leprosy.

Descriptors: Community Health Nursing; Nursing Care; Leprosy.