Pregnancy and leprosy: a association of risk in the health services

Abstract

Descriptive study with quantitative approach. Aimed to raise sociodemographic aspects from a group of women with leprosy in childbearing; verify clinical characteristics of leprosy in the same group, and identify exposure of pregnant women in treatment for leprosy and the contraceptive practice of these. Data were collected in October 2006 in a Reference Center in Sanitary Dermatology, located in Fortaleza, Brazil. Participated 80 women with leprosy, in childbearing age (30% of total enrolled in the service). Were excluded hysterectomized women and postmenopausal. Of these, 10 (12.5%) were aged teens, 38 (47.5%) were married or living in a consensual manner, 16 (20%) had the desire to conceive, 39 (48.8%) used contraceptive methods, and 9 (23%) were without the guidance of a professional, and 66 (82.5%) ignored the effects of pregnancy on leprosy. Eight (10%) had leprosy in pregnancy, 32 (40%) had reactions and 4 (13%) made use of Thalidomide (drug teratogenic in women of childbearing age). Based on these results we can affirm that women with leprosy treatment, are exposed to a high risk pregnancy, increasing the likelihood and severity of the reactions and relapses, which should be mitigated by proper care in contraception.