Objectives:
To assess the self-perception of medical students at the State University of Pará (UEPA) regarding their knowledge of leprosy and to compare this impression between the basic and internship cycles.
Methods:
This is an exploratory and descriptive study with a quantitative survey approach using a questionnaire. The questionnaires were administered at the State University of Pará (UEPA), located in the municipality of Santarém, Pará, totaling 87 participants.
Results:
Most students recognized that leprosy is a challenging and neglected disease. Many participants do not feel satisfied with their knowledge and skills regarding the diagnosis of neurological and dermatological manifestations. The comparison between the various subgroups revealed significant differences between the basic cycle and the internship concerning the recognition of neurological abnormalities. A large portion of the students considered the number of hours dedicated to teaching this subject insufficient.
Conclusion:
Leprosy remains a public health challenge, and there are gaps in medical education that hinder a change in this scenario. Therefore, curricular restructuring and access to more effective learning environments regarding the pathology are necessary.
BT - Revista Brasileira de Neurologia DA - 07/2026 DO - 10.46979/rbn.v62i2.74881 IS - 2 LA - ENG M3 - Article N2 -Objectives:
To assess the self-perception of medical students at the State University of Pará (UEPA) regarding their knowledge of leprosy and to compare this impression between the basic and internship cycles.
Methods:
This is an exploratory and descriptive study with a quantitative survey approach using a questionnaire. The questionnaires were administered at the State University of Pará (UEPA), located in the municipality of Santarém, Pará, totaling 87 participants.
Results:
Most students recognized that leprosy is a challenging and neglected disease. Many participants do not feel satisfied with their knowledge and skills regarding the diagnosis of neurological and dermatological manifestations. The comparison between the various subgroups revealed significant differences between the basic cycle and the internship concerning the recognition of neurological abnormalities. A large portion of the students considered the number of hours dedicated to teaching this subject insufficient.
Conclusion:
Leprosy remains a public health challenge, and there are gaps in medical education that hinder a change in this scenario. Therefore, curricular restructuring and access to more effective learning environments regarding the pathology are necessary.
PB - Revista Brasileira de Neurologia PY - 2026 SP - 1 EP - 6 T2 - Revista Brasileira de Neurologia TI - Medical students’ self-perception about Leprosy at a university in the amazon region UR - https://revistas.ufrj.br/index.php/rbn/article/view/74881/49502 VL - 62 SN - 2447-2573, 0101-8469 ER -