Educação sanitária e lepra / Health education and leprosy

ABSTRACT

The author states that the importance of health education in the Service of Leprosy is recognized by all. It can be of good help fighting superstitions about this diseases; showing the scientific facts to the population; contributing for a better follow up of patients; calling contacts for examinations, etc. The most important fact in modern control of leprosy is the arrestment of incipient signs of the disease (undertermined leprosy) by sulphonetherapy. The health education in leprosy must be directed to this point so as to help in the discovery of new cases. The education of the patients, suspects and contacts can be done trough hospitals, dispensaries, health units, etc. The cooperation of the general practices, druggists, nurses, teachers, priests and other people who can be leaders in their group is very important. Those people have to receive special information on the problem. All kinds of media can be employed to inform people about leprosy (papers, magazines, posters, radio, television, movies, etc.). The negative aspects of the disease and the depressive facts must be avoided. The author states the health education program must be integrated in the routine of the Service and everyone must cooperate from the chief, down to the low ranked employee. He isists that the health education program for leprosy must be permanent so as to get positive results in a shorter time.