Knowledge and Perceptions of Undergraduate Nurses towards the Use of Cocaine (Smoked) in a Brazilian Context.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the perceptions and knowledge of nursing students on the identification and intervention care among users of cocaine (smoked) patients. A cross-sectional survey design was conducted with 164 undergraduate nursing students of two nursing school from Northeast of Brazil. A questionnaire on knowledge and attitudes and therapeutic commitment towards the use of cocaine (smoked) were used. The students stated that they received contents of substance misuse in the curriculum of nursing. Only 10% of the students reported that they had adequate knowledge on addiction to dealing with cocaine (smoked) users and wish to work with these users. There are positive perceptions on motivation, task specific self-esteem and work satisfaction among students.

[Nursing training and the drugs phenomenon in the South of Brazil: nursing students' attitudes and beliefs on care]. / A formação do enfermeiro e o fenômeno das drogas no Sul do Brasil: atitudes e crenças dos estudantes de enfermagem sobre o cuidado.

This is a descriptive study about the formation of nurses regarding to the drug phenomenon. It was conducted with last periods students of Nursing Schools from five Federal Educational Institutions in southern Brazil. It presents and discusses Nursing students attitudes and beliefs about care, when facing the drug phenomenon. The data collection happened from October 2003 to February 2004, with intentional sample constituted of 105 students. An instrument was applied to them, with a scale asking about nurses attitudes and beliefs regarding to alcoholism and drugs. The study showed that the students understand knowledge about the drug phenomenon as fundamental to the profession, and they incorporate the care of people involved with psychoactive substances, as nurses role. The study also showed clearly a disarticulation between theory and practice, course s contents centered on medical and moral models, and interpersonal communication difficulties.

A formação do enfermeiro e o fenômeno das drogas no Sul do Brasil: atitudes e crenças dos estudantes de enfermagem sobre o cuidado / Nursing formation and the drugs phenomenon in the South of Brazil: nursing students' attitudes and beliefs on care

Pesquisa descritiva sobre a formação do enfermeiro e sua relação com o fenômeno das drogas, realizada com alunos do último período de Graduação em Enfermagem de cinco Instituições Federais de Ensino Superior do sul do Brasil. Este artigo apresenta e discute atitudes e crenças dos estudantes de enfermagem sobre o cuidado frente ao fenômeno das drogas. A coleta dos dados aconteceu de outubro/2003 a fevereiro/2004, a amostra, intencional, foi composta por 105 alunos que responderam a um instrumento contendo uma escala sobre atitudes e crenças dos enfermeiros em relação à alcoolismo e drogas. O estudo apontou que os alunos compreendem que o conhecimento sobre o fenômeno das drogas é fundamental para o exercício da profissão e incorporam o cuidado às pessoas envolvidas com substâncias psicoativas ao papel do enfermeiro. Evidenciou também desarticulação entre a teoria e a prática, conteúdos centrados nos modelos médico e moral, e dificuldades na comunicação interpessoal.