The science education and the inclusion of the topic leprosy in schools

Abstract

This article presents data and reflections derived from a qualitative research work developed in four schools located close to the Tavares Macedo State Hospital (HETM - Hospital Estadual Tavares Macedo), in the municipality of ItaboraÍ, interior of the State of Rio de Janeiro. We have tried to identify and understand the meaning of the main ideas, knowledge and beliefs that the school community has about the HETM, a former Hospital-Colony where patients used to be hospitalized. In addition, we've tried to know if and how the topic is approached in the educational work in these schools, taking into account the fact that there are carriers or former carriers of the disease among school students and staff. The methodological procedure involved a historical survey at the HETM, in search for information about its operation in different periods of time since its beginning in Itaborai. Document analyses as well as semi-structured interviews with individuals and field observations were carried out. We have considered cognitive and affective dimensions, as well as social interactions among other factors with the purpose of contributing for a debate about how to face an issue of local health having education as a starting point