Cogitare Enfermagem (Sep 2012)
NURSING STUDENTS’ ATTITUDES REGARDING TRANSMISSIBLE DISEASES
Abstract
This qualitative research aimed to identify the attitudes of undergraduate Nursing students regarding transmissible diseases and the people who have them, and to recognize how the Nursing with Transmissible Diseases course in the University of São Paulo’s undergraduate nursing course influences this process. Hypothetical situations were presented before (2006) and after (2010) the course for the students to reflect on. The students recorded their perceptions in writing, resulting in 69 records for each point (2006 and 2010). On analysis of the data, the following categories were identified: fear, prejudice, anger, sadness, shame, worry, insecurity, care, curiosity, hope and calm. The knowledge conveyed in the transmissible diseases course was important in mobilizing the students’ behaviors regarding prejudice and stigma. Further, the theoretical-practical content was able to instrumentalize the students to understand these illnesses as harm which may be treated and monitored by the nursing team.
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