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.