Ensino da hanseníase nas faculdades de medicina de um estado com baixa endemicidade

Abstract

Leprosy is still a public health problem in Brazil. Considering the epidemiological situation of the late diagnosis of the disease in Santa Catarina, the objective was to evaluate the teaching of leprosy in medical universities and its relationship with the reference centers for the disease. Iramuteq software and thematic content analysis conducted a qualitative, exploratory-descriptive study. A total of 119 medical students took part in the study. The similarity analysis revealed that the word "believe" is correlated with the need for knowledge about leprosy. Specificity analysis showed a difference in the responses of medical students from universities with and without leprosy reference centers, with the former focusing on diagnosis and the latter on lack of contact and experience. The thematic content analysis revealed two categories and five subcategories: category 1 contains subcategory 1 (Lack of experience and contact with leprosy), subcategory 2 (Justification for lack of knowledge in the area), subcategory 3 (Lack of notified cases), and Subcategory 4 (Lack of training during graduation). Category 2 presents subcategory 5 (The importance of training in leprosy). The study concluded that there is a need for continuous leprosy teaching in medical schools, especially in low-endemic areas. The study reveals deficiencies in the training of medical students in Santa Catarina. This can contribute to low detection and late diagnosis of leprosy, resulting in high rates of physical disability.