Decentralisation of leprosy control activities in the municipality of Betim, Minas Gerais State, Brazil.
OBJECTIVE
The present study aims at evaluating the decentralisation of the leprosy control activities in the municipality of Betim, Minas Gerais, Brazil.


METHODS
A quantitative study was undertaken using data from SINAN (Sistema Nacional de Agravos de Notificação) and patient records. The study included 435 new cases registered and living in Betim. The pre (1995-2000) and post (2001-2005) decentralisation periods were compared using the chi-square test. Besides this, units which already had leprosy control activities were compared to those which implemented them from 2001 on.


RESULTS
There was a decrease in the percentage of cases diagnosed with deformities after decentralisation, as well as an increase in the number of cases detected through self-reporting. More patients were notified closer to home after decentralisation. The selected indicators did not show any difference between the quality of assistance regarding prevention of disabilities when comparing health units which already had leprosy activities to those which implemented them from 2001 onwards.


CONCLUSIONS
Decentralisation, in Betim, did not lead to an increase in the number of cases, but led to earlier diagnosis and patients being treated closer to their homes. The study did not show evidence of decrease in the quality of care after decentralisation.
Municipal Health Department, Betim, Brazil. plfuzikawa@gmail.com
Priscila Leiko
PL
Fuzikawa
Francisco Assis
FA
De Acúrcio
Johan P
JP
Velema
Mariangela Leal
ML
Cherchiglia
D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D006801:Humans; D007918:Leprosy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011057:Politics; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D014505:Urban Population