Ciência e estigma: A trajetória da Hanseníase na sociedade teresinense (2006-2016)

Abstract

Leprosy, over the years, has presented itself as a disease linked to negative factors, in Brazil it integrated the popular imagination to the point of justifying the physical segregation of individuals, and even though it has changed its nomenclature, previously called leprosy, it is still viewed in a pejorative way because of the stigma that still persists. Therefore, the general objective of this research was to analyze the socio-cultural factors that are related to the registration of leprosy in the society from Teresina from 2006 to 2016, , considering that during this time there is a large production of information about the object of study due to the eradication deadlines proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO). It was specifically aimed to discuss how leprosy has been characterized as an overlooked disease, identifying the areas with the highest incidence of the disease in Teresina. In this path, was sought to point out the historical developments of public policies of control and how it is currently constituted in the face of medical advances. Methodologically, it was a research characterized as bibliographic and documentary, with a quantitative and qualitative approach, considering the numerical data and the subjective aspects related to the disease path process from a national, regional and municipal perspective. For that, authors who discuss historiographical questions were used, such as Remónd (2003), Gomes (1996), Chauveau and Tetart (1998), and authors who approach the disease as a political and sociocultural problem, such as Alvarenga (2013), Carvalho (2012), Hochman (1998), Maciel (2007), Nascimento (2005), in addition to the theoretical contributions of Elias (1993) and Goffman (1998). In relation to primary sources, the databases on leprosy were produced by the Ministry of Health, State Health Secretariat and Teresina Municipal Health Foundation. It was found that despite the reduction in the incidence of the disease over the decade, the situation is not yet under control, demonstrating the relevance of discussing this issue characterized as overlooked for reaching people in poverty situation, and on many occasions not being on the agenda of priorities of the Federal Government.