Knowledge and intention to use phytotherapy in a basic health unit

Abstract

It is estimated that 80% of the population depends on the phytotherapy, regarding the primary attention to health, and most of them rely just on the plants as the only source of medicine. Since these professionals do not master the knowledge on phytotherapy prescription, due to the fact that this subject is not part of their academic training, the need for a plan which modifies this framework is necessary, in the municipalities interested in offering safe use of herbal medicines to their community. The objective of this study is to identify the level of knowledge and interest which may be observed among the prescribers of Basic Health Unit (BHU) Pinheiros, regarding the use of medicinal plants as a treatment. Questionnaires were administered to eight doctors and eight nurses from UBS. Data was collected in November 2010 and was then tabulated and analyzed. Most doctors and nurses who were interviewed prescribe/indicate medicinal plants, and, most frequently, as antidepressant/calming, and for flu, coughs and stomach discomfort. The vast majority of respondents had no contact with herbal medicine during their training processes and they were interested in learning more about medicinal plants, so, as they mentioned, the number of prescriptions could be increased. From these data, we conclude that professionals do not have much knowledge about medicinal plants, but most of them want to learn more about it. This is important because these professionals could teach users about the rational and safe use of these drugs.