Access and accessibility in Primary Health Care: experiences of individuals affected by leprosy

ABSTRACT Objective to examine the access and accessibility barriers faced by individuals affected by leprosy in meeting their healthcare needs. Methods this is a descriptive, qualitative study conducted between November 2021 and February 2022 in four Basic Health Units in Belém, Pará. A total of 29 individuals diagnosed with leprosy participated in the study. Data were collected through individual semi-structured interviews. The textual corpus was analyzed using IRAMUTEQ software. Results Data processing generated 366 text segments and revealed six lexical classes. Lexical class 5 encompasses aspects related to treatment and the availability of medications at Health Units, the quality of care provided by healthcare professionals, and the absence of adequate health education. The conflict between the activities carried out by the Leprosy Control Program in Health Units and the principles of the Brazilian Unified Health System becomes evident through the challenges surrounding access and accessibility to treatment. Final considerations and implications for practice Overcoming territorial and regional challenges is crucial for the successful implementation of leprosy control measures within primary care. Urgent action is needed to reassess the shift scheduling process. Ongoing professional education, coupled with health education for users, creates a more welcoming environment and better addresses patients’ needs.