Research Article Open Access

Adherence, Physical Limitation and Social Participation in Leprosy Patients in a High-Complexity Hospital

Abstract

Therapies and procedures to improve the quality of life of patients and adherence to treatment is a concern for the health systems and for health professionals. This is a longitudinal study, using quantitative and qualitative assessment tests to assess adherence to treatment and general knowledge about the disease and quality of life. From the data, educational materials were produced and tested on patients. Then, the impact of follow-up and instructional materials on treatment adherence was evaluated. It was possible to obtain that adherence to treatment increased significantly after the intervention of pharmaceutical care and health education, according to the Morisky-Green Test (78.4%>35.1%). Patients classified as “no limitation” or “mild limitation” by the SALSA scale were 27 times more likely to be compliant with treatment, according to the Haynes-Sackett Test (THS). Patients who scored “no restriction” or “light restriction” on the Participation Scale were 9.2 times more likely to be compliant with treatment, according to the THS. In addition, the methodology was more effective in male patients with low education than in women, who already had high adherence. It is possible to increase patient treatment adherence through health education programs and pharmaceutical care.

Amanda Henriques Cavalheiro*, Marco Andrey C. Frade, Andrea Queiróz Ungari

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