Social Support and participation of individuals with leprosy

DOI: 10.15343/0104-7809.20174102244252

Abstract

The context of social isolation and restriction of social relationships created by leprosy promotes decreased participation
in the community, highlighting the importance of social support. Thus, this study aimed to assess the degree of
participation restriction and social support received by individuals in treatment for leprosy in two reference centers for
leprosy in the city of Juiz de Fora. The Participation and Evaluation of Social Support Scales were applied in the first
half of 2014 to individuals inserted in these centers. Statistical analyses were performed using Wilcoxon test, Spearman
correlation and Fisher’s exact test, with a significance level of p<0.05. According to the results, 60% of the subjects did
not present participation restriction, and high values of availability and satisfaction of the support offered were observed.
The family and health professionals can be highlighted as this source of support. The emotional type of social support
is noteworthy, as individuals with leprosy who had disabilities and those without participation restriction showed an
association with the satisfaction of that support. It was concluded that social support can be seen as a protective factor,
making it essential to listen to the individual, not losing sight of the notion that care does not refer only to the visible
signs of the disease, but rather the whole social context to which the carrier is inserted.