FundaÃÃo Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Cientifico e TecnolÃgico / Caracterizar as incapacidades fÃsicas, a limitaÃÃo de atividade e restriÃÃo da participaÃÃo social de pessoas no momento pÃs-alta de hansenÃase diagnosticadas no perÃodo de 2004-2006 no MunicÃpio de Fortaleza/CE. METODOLOGIA. Estudo transversal realizado em unidades bÃsicas de saÃde da Secretaria Executiva Regional III, no perÃodo de agosto de 2008 a maio de 2009. Foram avaliados 45 pacientes em pÃs-alta de hansenÃase. Realizou-se avaliaÃÃo simplificada das funÃÃes neurais. AlÃm disso, foram aplicados a escala Triagem para LimitaÃÃo de Atividade e ConsciÃncia de Risco (âSALSAâ) e a escala de ParticipaÃÃo Social. RESULTADOS. A populaÃÃo do estudo foi composta em sua maioria por mulheres (60%), com idade mÃdia de 53,5 anos. Os participantes, em sua maioria, eram multibacilares (55,6%). Constatou-se um aumento de pacientes com graus 1 e 2 na atualidade, comparado com o momento da alta da poliquimioterapia. 60% dos pacientes apresentaram escore EHF (eye, hand, foot) 0. A maioria (84,4%) dos pacientes nÃo apresentou restriÃÃo à participaÃÃo social, 66,6% nÃo apresentaram limitaÃÃo funcional, mas 75,5% exibiram consciÃncia de risco 0. Houve correlaÃÃes significativamente positivas entre os escores SALSA e EHF (p=0,0254; rho=0,3330), SALSA e ParticipaÃÃo Social (p=0,0004; rho=0,5056) e ParticipaÃÃo Social e EHF (p=0,0100; 0,3800). CONCLUSÃES. Existe necessidade da continuidade da assistÃncia visando à integralidade da atenÃÃo, de forma a assegurar aÃÃes preventivas, curativas e de reabilitaÃÃo. O perÃodo pÃs-alta da doenÃa necessita de cuidados e acompanhamento dos pacientes, em razÃo do risco do desenvolvimento de reaÃÃes, incapacidades fÃsicas e restriÃÃo à participaÃÃo social dos indivÃduos. / To describe clinical and psychosocial aspects of leprosy patients after release from treatment, who were diagnosed from 2004-2006 in the city of Fortaleza (Cearà State, Brazil); to describe in these patients activity limitation, safety awareness and social participation. METHODS. A cross-sectional study was carried out in primary health care centers of Fortaleza, from August 2008 to May 2009. Forty-five patients after release from treatment were included. A structured questionnaire was applied, and neural functions of peripheral nerves were assessed. In addition, the Screening of Activity Limitation and Safety Awareness (SALSA) and the Social Participation scale were applied. RESULTS. The majority of the study population consisted of females (60%), with a mean age of 53,5 years, mainly of underprivileged socio-cultural status. 55,6% were classified as multibacillary. We observed an increase of disability grading 1 and 2, as compared to the date of release from treatment with multidrug therapy. Sixty % of the patients presented with an EHF score of 0. The majority (84,4%) did not show any restriction of social participation, 66,6% did not have any functional limitation, and 75,5% did not present any safety awareness. There was a positive correlation between SALSA and EHF scores (p=0,0254; rho=0,3330), SALSA and Social Participation (p=0,0004; rho=0,5056), and Social Participation and EHF score (p=0,0100; rho=0,3800). CONCLUSIONS. Considering the fact that a considerable part of patients presented with sequels and light functional limitations, and that few had low safety awareness, we conclude that patients need special attention after release from multidrug therapy. Health education activities should be intensified, as the majority of patients, even after treatment, had limited knowledge about the disease and as a considerable part suffered from discrimination.

Unemployment among formerly incarcerated citizens is a complex problem that continues to grow. Previous reentry studies describe the collateral effects of incarceration on employment from the perspective of formerly incarcerated individuals, yet little academic research exists regarding reentry practitioners' perceptions of constraints during the job search process. Using Goldratt's theory of constraints as the foundation, the purpose of this case study of reentry and employment in a mid-Atlantic state was to explore from the perspective of practitioners, the types of constraints individuals with criminal records face during the job search process, the most difficult phase of the job search process, and recommendations on improving employment outcomes. Data for this study were obtained from 20 reentry professionals in Maryland, who completed an online, open-ended response survey. Data were inductively coded and subjected to thematic analysis procedure. The results showed that practitioners perceived the background check to be the most difficult phase in the job search process, and that external and environmental constraints such as employer bias and social stigma prevent individuals with criminal records from securing job offers. The results also showed that reentry professionals support automatic record expungement, record shielding, employer partnerships, and employment programming that provides job leads, resume building, and mock interview assistance. The positive social change implications stemming from this study include policy recommendations to policy makers to include centralizing and expanding the location of statewide employment centers, record shielding under the Second Chance Act, and fair education access through Ban-the Box for state colleges.

Hypertension (HTN) is the most common chronic disease among jail inmates. Many inmates treated for HTN while incarcerated in the Fairfax County Jail do not continue treatment when they return to their communities. Factors that contribute to discontinuing HTN management once the inmate returns to the community include homelessness, low income, and lack of access to care. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to educate inmates with HTN about community-based outreach services for HTN management and continuity of care while in the community. The outcome measured was the number of inmates who returned to jail reporting use of a community-based clinic for follow-up HTN care after their last release from jail. The project was conducted in 2 phases during a 6-month period. A pre-HTN survey questionnaire measuring HTN history and lifestyle was administered on initial incarceration. A post-HTN survey was completed when the inmates return to the jail during the 6-month period and measured adherence to post jail follow up HTN care. The findings of this quality improvement project indicate that both inmates who returned to jail in Phase 2 of the project followed up their HTN care in the community after release from jail. This project shows promise as a first step in the process of social change in planning discharge for inmates with HTN at the time of incarceration.