Information System and Physical Disabilities in Leprosy

Abstract

Leprosy is a disease affecting the skin and peripheral nerves that results in social and physical disabilities,   mainly when the disease is not early diagnosed and treated. The epidemiologic relevance of leprosy is due to   its magnitude and transcendence. The use of a protocol for a simplified assessment of nerve function and   complications (ASFNC) for all leprosy patients and the recording of the World Health Organization disability   grade are highly recommended as important epidemiological indicatives for planning actions. These data are   transferred to the Information System on Notifiable Diseases (SINAN). Among others, this system includes   basic leprosy data aiming the analysis of morbidity profiles. In the literature, several authors have reported   mistakes in filling out the SINAN forms. Reasons for that may be lack of knowledge and standardization of   procedures to the collection and transcription of results from one form to another. In this regards, health   professionals should be trained on identifying physical disabilities in leprosy, on the techniques of evaluation   and prevention procedures, besides the knowledge on correctly filling out data forms on disability grade in   order to avoid planning of actions based on misleading information.