Reasons for interrupting multidrug therapy against leprosy: the patients' point of view

Chichava, O.A., Ariza, L., Oliveira, A.R., Ferreira, A.C., Marques da Silva, L.F., Barbosa, J.C., Ramos, A.N., and Heukelbach, J. (2011) Reasons for interrupting multidrug therapy against leprosy: the patients' point of view. Leprosy Review, 82 (1). pp. 78-79.

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Abstract

[Extract] Adherence to treatment of chronic diseases is a complex issue and involves not only responsibility of the 'diseased' person, but also the health professional teams and the patients' social networks. In the last years, non-adherence to multidrug therapy (MDT) against leprosy has been reduced significantly in Brazil. However, during field work of a major epidemiological study in Tocantins State (north Brazil), which included 1076 individuals of 78 municipalities diagnosed with leprosy between 2006 and 2008, we identified 351 (32·6%) participants who said that they had interrupted MDT at least once. Currently, Tocantins is the State with highest leprosy detection rates in Brazil (annual detection rate of 88·54/100·000 in the general population, and of 26·48/100·000 in <15 year-olds in 2009). The median time of interruption stated by the study participants was 15 days, with a maximum of three years (interquartile range: 6–30 days). The respondents (56% males; median age: 39 years) were asked an open question about their reasons for interrupting, and information was given by 348 participants (Table 1).

Item ID: 16951
Item Type: Article (Commentary)
ISSN: 0305-7518
Keywords: multidrug therapy, leprosy
Date Deposited: 07 Jul 2011 01:24
FoR Codes: 11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111799 Public Health and Health Services not elsewhere classified @ 100%
SEO Codes: 92 HEALTH > 9204 Public Health (excl. Specific Population Health) > 920499 Public Health (excl. Specific Population Health) not elsewhere classified @ 100%
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