02147nas a2200193   4500000000100000008004100001653001800042653002500060653001200085100002900097700001400126700001500140700001400155245009200169856009500261300001400356490000700370520157600377       2014                            d10aSocial stigma10aOccupational Therapy10aleprosy1 aDubosselard Zimmermann R1 aVieira SG1 aAngelo TDA1 aSouza VCA00a[Perception of Occupational Therapy students towards the care of patients with leprosy]  uhttp://www.cadernosdeterapiaocupacional.ufscar.br/index.php/cadernos/article/view/1069/553  a383 - 3900 v223 aAbstract: Introduction: Brazil is considered the second most endemic country in the world for Hansen’s disease.
Despite the growing investment in prevention and public information, the stigma surrounding morbidity hinders its
diagnosis and treatment. With a biopsychosocial approach, the occupational therapist composes the multidisciplinary
team providing care for lepers. Objective: Therefore, it is important to know the perceptions of professionals under
academic training towards the care of patients suffering from leprosy. Methods: It is a qualitative exploratory-
-descriptive research carried out with undergraduate students of Occupational Therapy from a public university.
An open semi-structured interview was used as technique for data collection; it addressed students’ expectation
about the first contact with leprosy patients, their feelings in the first moment, the influence of their classmates’
behavior, the preparation to perform the service, and the interest to continue working in this area. Results: It was
possible to observe that students have knowledge about the disease, its causative agent, its mode of transmission,
and its physical and social implications. We also noted that access to information was of utmost importance, so that
most students did not create negative expectations regarding patient care. Conclusion: The study demonstrated
how leprosy can still cause fear in the population and that this may influence the behavior of health professionals
if they are not properly trained to deal with leprosy patients.