Perceptions of Hansen's Disease in Northeast Brazil: A Community‐Based Study Integrating Stigma, Empowerment, and Social Distance
The community had poor knowledge of HD and exhibited negative attitudes towards affected individuals; stigma is still present today. This study highlighted the need for community health education and ongoing education from healthcare professionals. Health education plays an essential role in HD. There is also a need for strategies to overcome stigma and prejudice, and to improve understanding of the disease beyond its biological aspects.
Authors
- Héllen Xavier Oliveira (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2814-0182)
- Adriana Da Silva dos Reis
- A. E. O. Ferreira
- Nágila Nathaly Lima Ferreira (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1261-630X)
- Aymée Medeiros da Rocha (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9761-2403)
- Rômulo do Nascimento Rocha (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4080-9560)
- Carmem E. Leitão Araújo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4322-8390)
- Duane Charles Hinders
- José Alexandre Menezes da Silva
- Wim H van Brakel
- Anna T van 't Noordende
- Jaqueline Caracas Barbosa
- Alberto Novaes Ramos
Institutions
- Universidade Federal do Ceará (BR)
- Universidade de Fortaleza (BR)
- Ministério da Saúde (BR)
- Netherlands Leprosy Relief (NL)
- Instituto Evandro Chagas (BR)
- Hospital Geral de Fortaleza (BR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Tropical Medicine & International Health
- Published
- 2026-02-26
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1111/tmi.70087
- Primary Topic
- Leprosy Research and Treatment
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00