Leprosy: an educational approach with high school

Abstract

Objective: Analyzing the high school students’ knowledge about leprosy,before and after the practice of health education in the classroom. Method: an exploratory and descriptive study, with population of 358 high school students and sample of 200 students. The criteria for selection sample: students enrolled in the selected school for the study, present in the classroom and had signed the Free and Informed Consent. For the data collection we used a questionnaire with closed questions about leprosy. The project was approved by the CEP of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, with protocol number 085/08 and CAAE 00780051000-09. Results: At first, the leprosy was little known by the students. However, this reality changed after the completion of the lecture as a tool for health education. Conclusion: we have emphasized the importance of the health education practices about leprosy by nursing. Descriptors: Health education, Leprosy, Nursing.