Objective: to identify the social representations of leprosy among its carriers. Methods: qualitative study based on the Theory of Social Representations, conducted with 40 subjects with leprosy, divided into two groups (male and female). Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and free observation, submitted to thematic content analysis. Two categories were formulated. Results: it was found different aspects between men and women. Women highlighted issues related to the domestic sphere, care with family and body image; men signaled changes in routine and adaptation to the new condition. Conclusion: The health and especially the nursing model, must seek to understand the daily life of being a leprosy carrier, learning to deal with the differences in each individual, using educational activities that advance toward comprehensive care to the human being. Descriptors: Leprosy; Integrality in Health; Nursing.Objetivo: apreender as representações sociais sobre hanseníase entre seus portadores. Métodos: pesquisa qualitativa, fundamentada na Teoria das Representações Sociais. Realizada com 40 sujeitos com Hanseníase, divididos em dois grupos (masculino e feminino). Dados coletados por meio de entrevista semiestruturada e observação livre, submetidos à análise de conteúdo temática e formuladas duas categorias. Resultados: constataram-se aspectos diferenciados entre homens e mulheres. As mulheres destacaram questões relacionadas ao âmbito doméstico, cuidado com a família e imagem física; os homens sinalizaram mudanças na rotina e adaptação à nova condição. Conclusão: o modelo de saúde e, principalmente de enfermagem, deve buscar compreender o cotidiano do ser portador de hanseníase, aprendendo a lidar com as diferenças de cada indivíduo, utilizando ações educativas que avancem em direção ao cuidado integral ao ser humano. Descritores: Hanseníase; Integralidade em Saúde; Enfermagem.Objetivo: identificar las representaciones sociales de la lepra entre sus portadores. Métodos: estudio cualitativo basado en la Teoría de las Representaciones Sociales. Realizado con 40 sujetos con lepra, divididos en dos grupos (masculino y femenino). Datos recolectados a través de entrevista semiestructurada y observación libre sometidos a análisis de contenido temático y formuladas dos categorías. Resultados: se encontraron diferentes aspectos entre hombres y mujeres. Las mujeres destacaron los temas relacionados con la esfera doméstica, la atención con la imagen corporal y la familia; los hombres señalaron cambios en la rutina y adaptación a la nueva condición. Conclusión: el modelo de salud y, especialmente de enfermería, debe tratar de entender la vida cotidiana de la persona con lepra, aprender a lidiar con las diferencias de cada individuo, utilizándose de actividades educativas que permitan avanzar hacia la atención integral a las personas.

This study aimed to understand the social representations of sexuality, developed by women aged 50 and older with or without HIV/AIDS. This was a research with qualitative approach, based on Social Representations Theory, carried out in Fortaleza-CE, Brazil, with 44 women, 22 diagnosed with and 22 diagnosed without HIV/AIDS. We used the techniques of semi-structured interview and non-systematic observation. Data were submitted to content analysis and two main categories were verified: concepts on HIV/AIDS and experiences of sexuality. The results showed that for the women living with the disease there was a mix of anxiety, stigma, socioeconomic difficulties, disruption of emotional bonds, guilt and fear. Among women diagnosed without, a low perception of the risk of acquiring the infection and the fear of discovering the seropositivity, come from the misinformation on the disease. Studies on the issues of HIV/AIDS infection in women aged 50 and older should be widely encouraged, in order to support the development of actions and prevention programs addressed to this population.

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