Social inclusion actions for people with leprosy diagnosis

Abstract

The objective of this study is reporting the experiences of extension workers with the creation of a social support network constituted by individuals who contributed to the physical and social rehabilitation of leprous patients participating in an inclusive support group in the municipality of Picos, State of Piauí, Brazil. This is an experience report of the “Extension Control Project of Leprosy”, carried out from March to December 2015. It formed Social networks with the help of the community in order to seek  inclusion spaces for the promotion of interaction between the community and the constituents of the group. During the Social Diagnosis, it was possible to identify that the chosen neighborhood suffered from social problems such as the lack of basic sanitation and urban mobility, the presence of vacant lots used as garbage dump and inadequate garbage collection. They also looked for health units, churches and commercial points that could be used as strategic places to support social network. A map was elaborated, in which all points were identified. It concluded that leprosy in Picos is endemic and related to political, economic, social, educational, cultural and demographic factors, as well as the degree of organization and quality of health services.