Transtorno do espectro autista (tea): estigma entre discentes dos cursos de medicina e enfermagem da UFAL

Abstract

Introduction: The term stigma recalls a negative stereotype, linked to a certain group that tends to be marginalized by society, such as people with Autism Spectrum Disorders. This can lead to disqualification for acceptance by society, causing discrimination. Stigmatization occurs in contexts that encompass culture, political history, economics and social aspects. Objective: To describe the stigma in relation to ASD among undergraduate medical and nursing students. Method: This is a qualitative study, whose data were collected through the realization of two focus groups, one of medicine with ten students and one of nursing with six students, from the Federal University of Alagoas. Using a script with eight open questions. The speeches were recorded and transcribed and analyzed using the IRAMUTEQ software, that enables content analysis. Results: A corpus of 84 texts was created, 362 text segments, corresponding to 74.3% of the total corpus, which represent the speeches of the research participants. Five Classes emerged, according to the Descending Hierarchical Classification, which were: Class 1 (20.1%), Approach of the person with ASD; Class 2, corresponded to 18.2% of the corpus named: Experience of Stigma; Class 3 corresponded to 14.9% of the corpus, called: Segregation of People with ASD; Class 4 covered 19.7% of the corpus, named: Care for the person with ASD and Class 5 covered 27.1% of the corpus, called: Challenges faced by people with ASD. Conclusion: It is identified the existence of stigma on the part of the researched students who propose strategies to demystify this conception coming from the society they are part of, including more discussions on the theme at undergraduate level, as they are future health professionals. It is recognized that approaches on ASD need to be carried out in a shared way among University professionals, students, caregivers and people with ASD, with a social view and not merely assistance.