Percepção e utilização da educação emsaúde para o uso racional de medicamentospor médicos / Perception and use of health education for rational use of drugs by physicians

Compreender a percepção e utilização da educação em saúde para o usoracional de medicamentos (URM) pelos médicos inseridos na atenção primária em saúde.Métodos: Tratou-se de pesquisa qualitativa, descritiva e exploratória, realizada em 2011,com sete médicos da Estratégia de Saúde da Família, por meio de entrevista individualsemiestruturada. Dados foram analisados pela técnica de análise do conteúdo, emergindotrês categorias temáticas e suas subcategorias: percepção do conceito de uso racional demedicamentos de forma parcial; percepção do conceito de educação em saúde de formaparcial; não valorização da potencialidade da utilização da educação em saúde no uso racionalde medicamento. Resultados: Os resultados evidenciaram que a percepção dos médicosé fragmentada e dividida em conceitos relacionados aos profissionais, à enfermidade, aomedicamento e ao paciente e comunidade. Conclusão: A utilização da educação emsaúde pelos médicos prioriza o modelo tradicional de educação em saúde, privilegiando atransmissão do conhecimento técnico-científico...

Analysis of ECOG performance status in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients: association with sociodemographical and clinical factors, and overall survival.

PURPOSE: In the present study, we analyzed sociodemographical and clinical factors, and the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG-PS) scale in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients. We evaluated the impact of a range of variables on overall survival. METHODS: We investigated a sample of HNSCC patients (n = 671), using sociodemographical and clinical information, and survival data collected from a review of epidemiological, clinical, and treatment reports. Statistical associations were analyzed by bivariate and multivariate statistical tests. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Of patients 85.4% recorded good ECOG-PS scores. Poor ECOG-PS scores were associated with the covariates indicative of dysphagia [odd ratios (OR) = 2.660, CI 95% = 1.661­4.260, p = 0.000] and large-size malignant disease (T3­T4; OR = 5.337, CI 95% = 2.251­12.652, p = 0.000). Overall survival analysis revealed that ECOG-PS scores (OR = 1.879, CI 95% = 1.162­3.038, p = 0.010), tumor size (OR = 1.665, CI 95% = 1.035­2.680, p = 0.036), and the presence of cervical metastasis (OR = 3.145, CI 95% = 2.008­4.926, p = 0.000) were independent predictors. CONCLUSION: Evaluation of physical consumption in head and neck cancer patients at diagnosis may indicate a more aggressive type of malignant disease. Thus, the ECOG-PS scale may help to identify HNSCC patients in need of rapid referral, who may benefit from specific therapeutic and rehabilitative interventions.

Uso de práticas integrativas e complementares pic por pacientes adultos infectados com o vírus da imunodeficiência humana HIV, no norte de Minas Gerais / Practical use of integrating and complimentary practices (icp) by adult patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) in north of Minas Gerais

Objetiva-se identificar o uso de PIC entre adultos portadores do vírus da imunodeficiência humana. Mediante estudo transversal, analítico e descritivo foi verificado o perfil de 200 pacientes adultos infectados por HIV e identificadas possíveis associações entre fatores socioeconômicos e utilização de PIC. A prevalência de PIC foi de 78,5 porcento n igual 157 e as categorias mais relatadas foram oração a Deus 57,5 porcento n igual 115; uso de remédios populares 21,5 porcento n igual 43; procura a benzedeiras 14,5 porcento n igual 29 e uso de homeopatia 12,5 porcento n igual 25. Associações significativas foram encontradas com o uso de PIC e cor p igual 0,000; escolaridade p igual 0,000; estado conjugal p igual 0,003; religião p igual 0,000 e renda mensal familiar p igual 0,000. Constatou-se ainda que há associação estatisticamente significante entre algumas variáveis demográficas investigadas e uso de práticas integrativas complementares.

The purpose of this study is to identify the use of PIC by carriers of the human immunodeficiency virus. Through a cross-sectional, analytical and descriptive study, 200 adult patients infected with HIV were profiled and possible relations between socioeconomic factors and the use of the PIC were verified. The preponderance of PIC was of 78.5pocent n equals 157 and the most frequently mentioned categories were: pray to God 57.5 porcent n equals 115; use of popular medicines 21.5 pocent n equals 43; consultation with benzedeiras women with alleged healing and magical powers 14.5 porcent n equals 29 and the use of homeopathy 12.5 porcent n equals 25. Significant relations were found between the use of MCA and color p equals 0,000, educational level p equals 0,000; marital status p equals 0,003, religion p equals 0,000 and family monthly income.p equals 0,000. It was verified yet that there is a significant statistical relation between the use of some of studied demographical variables and the integrating and complimentary activities under study.

[Complementary and alternative medicine: use in Montes Claros, Minas Gerais]. / Medicina complementar e alternativa: utilização pela comunidade de Montes Claros, Minas Gerais.

OBJECTIVE: To determine prevalence of utilization and social and economic profile of those using complementary and alternative medicine in the medium sized Brazilian city of Montes Claros, MG. METHODS: A transversal descriptive study was conducted. The sample of 3090 people was probabilistic, by clusters using the household as the sample unit for interview of both genders, older than 18 years. Data were collected by semi-structured questionnaires. RESULTS: Utilization of complementary and alternative medicine was of 8.9% when only those involving costs such as homeopathy, acupuncture, chiropractics, techniques of relaxation/ meditation and massage are considered and of 70.0%, when all therapies found were included. Prevalent were prayers to God (52.0%), popular medicines (30.9%), physical exercises (25.5%), faith healers (15.0%), popular diets (7.1%), massage (4.9%), relaxation/meditation (2.8%), homeopathy (2.4%), and groups of self-help (1.9%), chiropractics (1.7%), acupuncture (1.5%) and orthomolecular medicine (0.2%). Women, Catholic, married of higher income and education were positively associated with utilization of therapies involving expenses. CONCLUSIONS: Complementary and alternative medicine is used by a significant number of those interviewed. Gender, religion, marital status, income and education were positively associated with utilization of complementary and alternative medicine. Access of those with less income and education could increase the utilization of the options that involve expenses.