Uso de psicotrópicos por crianças em uma unidade de atenção primária à saúde de Fortaleza - Ce

Abstract

This research presents as problematic the high prescription and use of psychotropic drugs dispensed for the infantile population, mainly directed to the treatment of the mental disorders. In addition, the need to evaluate this issue in the context of PHC is based on the scarcity of studies. In this sense, we aimed to describe the use of psychotropic drugs by children attending a Pharmacy Pole of a Unit of Primary Health Care in Fortaleza - CE. The study is characterized as descriptive, with a quantitative approach. A form was applied directly to the parents or guardians of children who use psychotropic drugs at the time they seek the drug at the UAPS Pharmacy. Data collection took place between the month of October, 2018. The statistical program Epi Info ™ for Windows, version 7.2.2.6 was used for data storage and analysis. Of the 67 children who met the criteria for inclusion in the study, there was a predominance of males (79.1%), ages ranging from 5 to 7 years (28.4), and those receiving social benefits (53.7%), . Those responsible for children have a mean age of 38.5 years, are single (49.2%), do not work (67.2%), and the mother stands out as the main caregiver of children (73.1%). In general, heads of households are also mothers of children (44.8%), belonging to economic classes C2 and D (79.1%). The most commonly prescribed psychotropic medications were antipsychotics (65%) followed by antiepileptics (18.4%). The average use is 1.43 medicines. Neuropediatricians and child psychiatrists are the main prescribers (59,6). Regarding the origin of the prescriptions, they mostly come from the UAPS. Among the children, 97% carried out medical follow-up, according to those responsible, especially the neuropediatricians and children's psychiatrists (87,5). 62.7% of the sample of children are non-medicated, with a mean of 2.86 professionals per child. The occupational therapist stands out (29.2%), followed by psychologists (27.5). Most of the relatives of the children support both drug treatment (95.5%) and non-drug treatment (92.9%). Thus, a high prevalence of the use of psychotropic drugs was observed in the infant population, especially in children with lower age, which reinforces the need for more studies that evaluate the use of these drugs by the children population in PHC.