Challenges In Leprosy Control Actions In Brazilian Basic Care

Objective: to analyze leprosy control actions in Primary Care in Brazil, based on the external evaluation of the Program for Improving Access and Quality of Primary Care (PMAQ-AB). Method: cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach carried out based on secondary data collected from the PMAQ-AB professional teams, 2nd cycle. Results: the Midwest region with the highest percentage of teams with registered cases of leprosy (71.20%), being the one that most diagnoses new cases (90.2%); most teams refer to the existence of the notification form (85,9%) and follow up on users' treatment (95,2%); the Southeast appears as the region that does the least active search for treatment absentees (83%); as for home surveillance, most of the professionals interviewed claim to do it (94,8%). Conclusion: the need to improve the work of the teams to provide comprehensive care to people with leprosy is reinforced.