[Leprosy and vulnerability: a scoping review].

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Social Sciences

Context:

• Leprosy remains a significant public health issue in Brazil.
• Vulnerability is a key concern for individuals affected by leprosy.
• Understanding research trends is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose:

• To conduct a scoping review of scientific literature on leprosy in Brazil.
• To identify and analyze the concept of vulnerability in the context of leprosy.
• To map research published between 2016 and 2020.

Summary:

• A scoping review of 29 articles from the Virtual Health Library (BVS) database was performed using descriptors 'leprosy' and 'vulnerability'.
• The selected studies, published between January 2016 and December 2020, primarily focused on municipal coverage, particularly in the North and Northeast regions of Brazil.
• Findings indicate that while many publications have national impact, their international visibility is limited, and diverse typologies of vulnerability were addressed.

Impact:

• Informs public health strategies by highlighting research gaps and regional disparities in leprosy studies.
• Provides insights into the multifaceted nature of vulnerability associated with leprosy in Brazil.
• Supports evidence-based policymaking for leprosy control and prevention programs.