Revista Dor (Mar 2016)

Evaluation of the the attitudes towards use of drugs in an urban Northeastern population of Brazil

  • Laís Lima de Oliveira,
  • Gêniton Santos Lima,
  • Nathale Prates Ribeiro Moura,
  • Rosiane Santana Andrade Lima,
  • Paulo Ricardo Saquete Martins-Filho,
  • Diego Moura Tanajura

DOI
https://doi.org/10.5935/1806-0013.20160004
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 17, no. 1
pp. 12 – 14

Abstract

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ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The use of drugs has improved general population quality of life and health conditions. However, pharmaceutical industries spread a purely curative view and total well-being associated to its use. This study aimed at evaluating population attitudes with regard to the use of drugs in the city of Frei Paulo/SE, Brazil. METHODS: Data were collected by means of a questionnaire applied by trained people and in the presence of the community health agent, in the micro-regions of the Family Health Strategy. RESULTS: Participated in the study 186 people, predominantly females (77.95%) with mean age of 45.25±14.91 years. 73.12% of respondents have reported reading patient information leaflets, however approximately 40.0% of respondents have not completed elementary school, which might have impaired the understanding of such information. 31.72% have stated knowing that drugs in high doses may harm health. However, 9.14% of participants have confirmed using drugs in doses higher than those prescribed, and from them, 29.41% had complications. CONCLUSION: It is imperative the development of public policies focusing on population information and awareness with regard to the responsible use of drugs.

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