ESTRATÉGIAS DE CONTROLE DA HANSENÍASE NA ATENÇÃO PRIMÁRIA À SAÚDE: UMA REVISÃO DE ESCOPO

Introduction: Leprosy poses a significant public health challenge, particularly in developing countries like Brazil, which ranks second globally in new cases. Primary Health Care (PHC) plays a central role in leprosy control, requiring the training of professionals for early diagnosis, epidemiological surveillance, and health education, all of which are essential to reducing transmission and mitigating the disease's impact. Objective: To map scientific evidence on the strategies employed by health professionals in PHC for leprosy control. Method: This is a scoping review conducted according to the guidelines of the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). Searches were carried out in the Virtual Health Library (VHL) and PubMed databases, using specific descriptors related to leprosy control. Studies from the last five years, available in English, Spanish, or Portuguese, with free access, were included. Results: The initial search retrieved 37 articles, which underwent screening and eligibility checks, resulting in the inclusion of seven articles. Most of the articles (6) were developed in Brazil, and five were published in English between 2020 and 2023. Conclusions: The review highlights the importance of integrating technological innovations, such as apps, and continuous training for health professionals, which are essential for improving the diagnosis and management of leprosy cases. Additionally, it identifies gaps in training and systemic barriers that hinder the implementation of these practices, emphasizing the need to optimize resources and infrastructure in PHC.