01862nas a2200301   4500000000100000008004100001260001200042653001200054653001800066653001400084653002900098653002400127653001500151100001600166700001500182700001500197700001300212700001300225700001800238700001400256700001300270245009800283856007800381300001400459490000700473520106600480022001401546       2023                            d  c01/202310aLeprosy10aSocial stigma10aEducation10aCommunity health workers10aPrimary Health Care10acontinuing1 ade Aquino D1 aMonteiro E1 aCoutinho N1 aSoeiro V1 aSantos T1 ade Oliveira E1 aPereira D1 aCaldas A00aCulture circle with community health workers about (lack of) knowledge and stigma of leprosy.  uhttps://www.scielo.br/j/rgenf/a/BjtDGVfv3rKGr5skHQ7jsww/abstract/?lang=en  ae202200830 v443 a<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To describe the construction aboutthe (lack of) knowledge and stigma of leprosy by Community Health Workers participating in the Culture Circle.</p>

<p><strong>Method: </strong>Qualitative, action-research type study supported by the Paulo Freire Culture Circle framework, carried out with 21 Community Health Workers. Data collected in November 2021, in the municipality of São Luís, Maranhão. The following categories were evidenced: knowledge about leprosy, signs and symptoms, stigma.</p>

<p><strong>Results: </strong>The participants had knowledge about the disease, but they verbalized people's disinformation about leprosy, disbelief in relation to the cure, and situations of prejudice and stigma that are still present today.</p>

<p><strong>Final Considerations: </strong>The culture circle enabled the intertwining of scientific and empirical knowledge in the construction of a critical and reflective knowledge committed to welcoming and comprehensive care for people and families affected by leprosy.</p>
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