Uso de plantas medicinais por usuários da atenção básica de saúde no município de Tavares-PB

Abstract

This study focused on the use of herbal medicine in the municipality of Tavares (PB). The objective was to verify the use of phytotherapeutic treatment by users of basic health care in the municipality of Tavares (PB) and in compliance with recommendations of the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia. The work had the Basic Health Units – UBSs as locus. 100 semistructured interviews were conducted among users of the Basic Health Units between October and December 2016. Data were submitted to a non-parametric statistical analysis, at a significance level of 95%. As a result, 49% stated that they had chronic diseases, and arterial hypertension (44.07%) was the most cited one. The majority (62.50%) did not define medicinal plants and / or herbal medicines, but the majority (86%) responded to make use of them. Those who claimed to use medicinal plants cited 71 names and, in average, each respondent cited 4.49 (± 2.94). The most cited name was “cidreira” (13.83%). 42.71% reported having known the use of herbal medicines by mothers. There was no significant difference in the use of medicinal plants as a function of the municipal area (χ2 = 0,442, p = 0,506), of sex χ2 = 0,169; P = 0.506) and the health condition (χ2 = 2.719, p = 0.099). Regarding the number of names of plants with herbal properties mentioned, there was no significant difference as a function of the municipal area (U = 679.5, p = 0.2). However, there was a significant difference in relation to sex (U = 786.0, p = 0.033) and health status (U = 939.5, p = 0.031). Furthermore, a positive correlation (rss = 0.308; p = 0.002) was obtained between age and number of plant names cited. It is concluded that the users of basic health care in the municipality of Tavares (PB) use medicinal plants and the knowledge of their properties has a maternal origin. Female, older and self-reported chronic patients tended to cite a greater number of names of medicinal plants. More therapeutic actions of the mentioned medicinal plants were mentioned than the recommendations.