LIVING WITH HANSENÍASE

The present study aimed to know the experiences, meanings and perceptions of patients with leprosy. This is a descriptive study, exploratory qualitative approach. The study was a polyclinic, located in minas gerais, reference in the treatment of leprosy. The data were produced through individual interviews with a screenwriter, semi-structured data analysis made it possible to identify four thematic categories: perceptions about the knowledge about leprosy; the discovery of leprosy; living with leprosy and live with leprosy in society. Identified that the perception of patients about the meaning and knowledge about leprosy is superficial and limited, however, the knowledge deficit did not interfere in the belief of the treatment and cure of disease resolutivo. One can understand that late diagnosis is still present in the discovery of leprosy and psychological issues, emotional, physical and social feature direct impact in the lives of patients.