Hansen's disease, an infection that affects peripheral nerves, and when not diagnosed and
treated early, it affects the muscles corresponding to the affected nerves and generates
disabilities, which in addition to body physical damage, it also brings with it social, economic
problems, stigma, physical inactivity and low quality of life. Describe the leprosy scenario in
Brazil and Brazilian administrative regions to know the disease indicators and this research
aims to evaluate the influence of a physical activity program on the patients' perception of
Quality of Life who have been affected by disabilities resulting from the progression of
Hansen's disease clinical picture in the city of Palmas - TO. For this purpose, a data search was
made on the situation of Hansen's disease in Brazil and other regions of the country using the
GBD database, which resulted in Article I of this research. Afterward, the instruments
(WHOQOL-bref and Old) were used to assess the perception of Quality of Life, and the
international questionnaire (IPAQ) to assess the level of physical activity, in which the results
were used for writing Articles II and III. The sample group of articles I and II comprised patients
with physical disabilities resulting from Hansen's disease from two public Health Centers in the
community of Palmas. A description of the perception of Quality of Life of all 43 respondents
was performed using the data collected by the questionnaires, eventually, they were invited to
participate in the physical activity program, which led to the participation of 5 patients from the
beginning to the end of the program; therefore, it enabled the analysis of the perception of
patients' Quality of Life before and after intervention. Results: Article I - The prevalence of
Hansen's disease in the period of study was 28.56 cases per 100 thousand/inhabitants, the
incidence of 2.99/100 thousand/inhabitants. and DALY of 1.7 per 100 thousand/inhabitants; the
regions of Brazil with the highest rates were the North with a 35.9 prevalence and a 3.5
incidence, followed by the Midwest region with the prevalence of 30.9 and incidence of 3.2.
Article II - Among the main results, the Quality of Life ones were considered good, with mean
scores that varied between (53-66), with the lowest score of 52.65 (SD ± 12.68) for the domain
Physical, which had its facet regarding the best evaluated medical treatment and the sleep and
rest aspects with the lowest evaluation. The assessment in the elderly sample group highlighted
the facet Death and dying with an average of 36.16 (± 15.66) who got the worst score. Article
III - The analysis of perceptions of Quality of Life before and after intervention did not show
statistically significant improvements, however, it was possible to observe some improvement
in the Physical and Psychological domains, with values ranging between (41-60), and a
worsening in the Social Relations domain, which went from a mean score between (61-80) to (41-60). The NAF went from insufficiently active B (n = 4; 80%) to Active (n = 2; 40%) and
Very active (n = 3; 60%). This research allowed to identify points that still need attention
regarding the aspects analyzed in the perception of Quality of Life of people with disabilities,
and besides, it showed that the practice of physical activity as a way of encouraging self-care
and group interaction can contribute to improving health and, consequently, Quality of Life.
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