title: [The nutritional and dieting profiles of patients diagnosed with leprosy treated in the primary healthcare units of Greater Vitória, State of Espírito Santo, Brazil].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The present study investigated leprosy in relation to the clinical, sociodemographic, nutritional and dietary profiles of patients diagnosed at primary healthcare units in the suburbs of Greater Vitória, State of Espírito Santo, Brazil, from January to December 2009.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study involved 152 male and female patients initiating polychemotherapy treatment. The collected data included sociodemographic, anthropometric, biochemical and dietary aspects derived from a questionnaire of eating frequency (QEF) that was validated and adapted for Brazilian culture. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated to evaluate patient nutritional status.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study showed that: 79 (52%) of the participants were women, average age was 40.4 years-old (± 16.9); 81 (53.3%) were employed; the mean number of years of schooling was 7.1 (± 4.5). Concerning the disease, 79 (52%) of the participants were multibacillary and 73 (48%) paucibacillary. The bacilloscopy index was negative in 125 (82.2%) patients. Excess weight was identified in 11.8% and 5.3% were underweight. Rice and beans were mentioned frequently, 87.3% and 88.7%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study showed that simple actions, initiated during primary healthcare, can help to improve the treatment of patients with the leprosy.
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós Graduação em Saúde Coletiva, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, ES. rnnegro@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Rosa Maria Natalli
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Montenegro
authors.forename: Maria Del Carmen
authors.initials: Mdel C
authors.lastname: Molina
authors.forename: Marilda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moreira
authors.forename: Eliana
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zandonade
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001938:Brazil; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D002149:Energy Intake; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007918:Leprosy; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult