Consumption of medicines by community health workers

Abstract

This work investigated the consumption of medicines by the Community Health Workers (CHW), and carried out a training on the subject. 44 CHW participated in the study. The most commonly used drugs were analgesics, antipyretics
and anti-inflammatories (70.8%). The CHW reported the following frequency of drug consumption during the last month: 12 used once, six used twice, 17 used three times or more and 18 did not use medicines. Regarding the form of consumption, 18 performed self-medication. Of those interviewed, 35 had not difficulty in acquiring prescription drugs without a prescription, six used a controlled medication, and 51 respondents had used water to take the medication. The interviewees stated that they did not consume drugs influenced by commercial advertising. Based on the data obtained, it was concluded that there is the practice of self-medication and failures in the rational use of medicines among Community Health Workers.