Hanseníase: a realidade do ser adolescente

Leprosy educational practices with adolescents: an integrative literature review

ABSTRACT Objectives: to identify scientific evidence in the literature regarding educational actions on leprosy developed with adolescents. Method: an integrative review of the literature, with the following research question: what are the leprosy educational practices currently being developed with adolescents? The search was performed in the following databases: MEDLINE, Scopus, LILACS, CINAHL, BVS Hanseníase and other sources, using “adolescent”; “leprosy”; “health education”; “public health”, and “public health practice” as keywords. Results: the sample was comprised of nine studies. Leprosy educational practices with adolescents verifiably promote change in knowledge when they are based on constructivist methodologies. The nurse is recognized as a professional with potential for developing these educational practices. Final considerations: actions for leprosy education with adolescents do lead to changes in knowledge, but new research is needed to evaluate their effectiveness in further improving this knowledge as well as changing behaviors and practices.

[Hanses's disease: knowledge and changes in the life of wounded people]

Hanses's disease is a millenary illness, characterized as a public health issue. This study aims to verify the knowledge of people with Hansen's disease about their problem and its treatment and point out possible changes in their lives as a consequence. We conducted interviews with people in treatment for multi-bacillary Hansen's disease in a Basic Health Unit of Sobral, Ceará State, in 2005. We realized that the knowledge about the disease is elementary, usually expressed by people's own experience, involving negative feelings. Some bearers showed to have appropriate knowledge according to the literature, acquired through the internet, books and information from friends and relatives. The main changes in their lives after the diagnosis was related to the use of medicines, as some people related improvement in their symptoms and others worsening, interfering in their daily activities.