Citation

Mastroianni PD, Lucchetta RC, Sarra JD, Galduróz JC. Rev. Panam. Salud Publica 2011; 29(5): 358-364.

Vernacular Title

Estoque domestico e uso de medicamentos em uma populacao cadastrada na estrategia

Affiliation

Departamento de Fármacos e Medicamentos, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Araraquara, SP, Brasil, pmastro@fcfar.unesp.br.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Organizacion Panamericana de la Salud (PAHO))

DOI

unavailable

PMID

21709941

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To identify families served by the family health strategy (FHS) storing medicines at home, to evaluate storage conditions, and to investigate medicine use practices. METHODS: The study was conducted in a municipality in the state of São Paulo with two FHS units serving 1 867 households. The sample was selected by means of stratified random sampling. Data collection was conducted through semistructured interviews from July to October 2008. RESULTS: One resident was interviewed in each of the 280 households visited. Medicines were found in 255 households (91.1%). Of 326 storage locations, 217 (75.8%) were inadequate (easily accessible to children or exposed to moisture, light). Of the 2 578 medicines identified, 2 059 medicines (79.9%) in 236 (84.3%) households had safety or identification problems. Of the 280 respondents, 179 (63.9%) used medications. Of these, 24 were self-medicating, only one with an over-the-counter drug. Only 44 users had the prescription for their medication, and 21 did not follow the prescription in terms of dosage or had interrupted the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Non-adherence to recommended treatment can lead to negative outcomes, such as inefficiency (using dosages lower than prescribed), poisoning (using dosages higher than prescribed), and other adverse reactions.

Language: pt