The production of social discourse on Hansen' disease and health education materials in Brazil: a skin patch as something harmless or a serious disease?
OBJECTIVE
Hansen's disease is endemic in Brazil and government control programmes promote publicity campaigns to increase the detection of new cases through the production and distribution of educative material.


OBJECTIVE
This study analyses a set of 276 educational materials produced by governmental and non-governmental organisations that work to control Hansen's disease in Brazil. It describes the content of the materials and the way the issues were approached.


METHODS
It is a qualitative study that adopts the theoretical and methodological framework of the semiology of social discourse.


RESULTS
Analysis reveals that the relations between the enunciator and recipient of the materials are asymmetrical as a result of the technical and educational language employed. Biomedical information forms the basis for social representations an practices of Hansen's disease, as opposed to historical collective knowledge of 'leprosy'. The prioritised topics are: signs and symptoms of the disease, treatment stigma, cure and surveillance.


CONCLUSIONS
The institutionalisation of public education on Hansen's disease in Brazil was not limited simply to the change of terminology from 'leprosy' to 'Hansen's disease,' but was shaped also by new educational practices. It is recommended that the evaluation and production of new materials be incorporated into the set of activities already carried out in health centres so as to expand the discussion on content, language and the best way to address the disease in the materials.
Fiocruz, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC)/Health and Environmental Education Laboratory (LEAS), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Adriana Kelly
AK
Santos
Ana Paula Goulart
AP
Ribeiro
Simone
S
Monteiro
D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007918:Leprosy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D009166:Mycobacterium leprae / Q000472:pathogenicity; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D011287:Prejudice; D036301:Qualitative Research; D057545:Social Stigma; D009626:Terminology as Topic