Prevalence of the use of psychotropic drugs among health professionals in an Emergency Care Unit in Santa Catarina

Abstract

The aim was to verify the prevalence of the use of psychotropic drugs by professionals working in the Emergency Care Unit of Canoinhas-SC and to analyze the cases in which there is a relationship with their work environment. Volunteer professionals answered the survey questionnaire with sociodemographic questions, sports practice as well as emotional characteristics and the work environment. It was asked about the use of psychotropic drugs, the reasons and the relationship with work. Most workers were women (87.9%) aged between 30-59 years (81.8%). Most were nursing technicians (51.5%) and nursing (24.2%). They have been working in the area for over 10 years (36.4%) and 60.6% reported not working elsewhere. Among the participants, 10 employees (30.3%) reported using psychotropic drugs, all women and with a prevalence of 34.48% in females. Antidepressant fluoxetine (25%) and hypnotic zolpidem (25%) were the most reported medications, due to the causes of anxiety (33,3%), insomnia (38,9%), depression (16,7%) and pain (11,1%). The area of ​​expertise was not related to the consumption of psychoactive drugs, however a significant correlation (p<0.05) was identified between the use of these medications and stress at work and considering oneself a stressed person. Still, 90% who use psychotropic medications stated that their use is related to professional stress. The vast majority of professionals who work in the Emergency Care consider the work environment stressful and exhausting, and considering themselves a stressed person or the stressful environment are conditions associated with the consumption of psychoactive drugs.