02081nas a2200241   4500000000100000008004100001260001000042653001900052653001200071653003400083653001800117653001400135653001600149100001300165700001600178700001400194245008800208856005200296300001200348490000700360520145800367022001401825       2023                            d  bLepra10aGeneral Energy10aLeprosy10ainfectious disease management10aSocial Stigma10aEducation10aAdolescents1 aFiorin E1 aCristiani E1 aRoberts C00aKnowledge and perception of leprosy amongst high school students in Italy: A survey  uhttps://leprosyreview.org/article/94/4/20-23030  a341-3490 v943 a<p><strong>Objectives:&nbsp;</strong>This study explores knowledge and perception of leprosy among adolescent Italian high school students. It primarily aimed to survey their knowledge and educate them about the social stigma linked with this infection, both past and present; it also introduced them to the academic research process. Adolescents were selected for the survey to compare the data with a previous survey of adults. The survey was part of an outreach program included in a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions project on medical care for people with leprosy buried in leprosaria cemeteries in medieval Europe.</p>

<p><strong>Methods:&nbsp;</strong>During 2020 and 2021, 15–17-year-old Italian high school students completed 10 questions about leprosy in an online anonymous questionnaire via Google Forms. A final open question asked for five words that ‘leprosy’ evoked in them.</p>

<p><strong>Results:&nbsp;</strong>533 students completed the questionnaire. The results demonstrate that leprosy is believed to be a disease of the past&nbsp;and students were not aware of the nature of leprosy, where it is found today, and how it is treated.</p>

<p><strong>Conclusion:&nbsp;</strong>More work is needed to educate upcoming generations about neglected infectious diseases, like leprosy. This is important to avoid misunderstandings provoking stigma around people who have leprosy today, a disease that can be easily cured.</p>
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