Resiliência e velhice: um estudo de fatores de risco e de proteção na saúde do idoso

Resilience consists of a capacity to adapt and overcome situations of risk, from the aid of protective factors. This construct constitutes a process of preventive and multidimensional present in all stages of human development. During this development, it has been immersed in the elderly biopsychosocial changes resulting from the aging process. In this sense, there was a need for a multidisciplinary study, combining psychology, medicine, nursing, social work and gerontology in order to check the resilience, its risk factors, such as life events and health, and protection, such as self-esteem and social support. For this, we performed a descriptive exploratory study of cross-sectional nature, along with a convenience sample consisting of 65 elderly users of the public health of the district east of the city of Natal/RN, Brazil. This research allowed the collection of socio-demographic, economic, relational, physical, biological and psychological in understanding the aging process. It is observed that the studied sample socio-economic status and chronic health conditions in their own lives and their families, that demand for care and attention every day, are resilient, have faced significant losses, have positive self-esteem and social support perceived as external satisfactory. Given this multidimensional nature, the aging process deserves the attention of many professionals and health policies, seeking provide to the elderly a better living conditions and mechanisms that promote well-being and health

Pensando o estatuto do idoso no âmbito da saúde: uma reflexão à prática da cidadania

Um envelhecer saudável compreende fundamentalmente, o atendimento de necessidades que vão além da manutenção de um bom estado de saúde física. Faz-se necessário valorizar o idoso como pessoa socialmente útil, favorecendo, direta e indiretamente, o idoso, a família e comunidade para o alcance de um estilo de vida desejável. Pautando-se nessas reflexões, a partir da importância de um estudo em que se procure avaliar até que ponto, segmentos da sociedade e o próprio idoso, conhecem os direitos deste, e com isto, procurar pontuar conceitos de cidadania, vinculando os idosos a essas práticas, tendo como ponto de partida neste estudo, a saúde, como prática muito questionada no cotidiano. Este estudo, portanto, tem como objetivo verificar o conhecimento de estudantes universitários sobre os direitos do idoso no que se refere à saúde, contemplados no Estatuto do Idoso e explorar os direitos do idoso no âmbito da saúde na concepção de estudantes universitários. Trata-se de um estudo exploratório descritivo, numa abordagem qualitativa, centrando-se na análise dos aspectos legais (jurídicos) sobre o conhecimento dos direitos do idoso no âmbito da saúde pelos estudantes e sua implicação na prática da cidadania. O estudo foi realizado na cidade de João Pessoa - Pb, estudantes universitários de diferentes cursos do Campus I da Universidade Federal da Paraiba. O instrumento utilizado para coleta de dados foi uma entrevista semi-estruturada. Os coletados foram qualitativamente, explorando-se as falas dos sujeitos, utilizando-se a técnica de análise de conteúdo temática categorial. Os resultados encontram-se apresentados em quadros e temas. A partir de diferentes artigos realizados no decorrer do curso. Diante da expressividade dos resultados encontrados nesta pesquisa, é possível afirmar que os estudantes universitários ainda conhecem pouco o direito dos idosos, em particular, no campo da saúde, mesmo os estudantes da referida área. No contexto interdisciplinar este estudo sugere ações dirigidas à população do estudo propiciando pesquisas com maior impacto na mídia dirigida tanto aos idosos como a sociedade em geral

Infecção hospitalar associada ao uso de cateter venoso central e a quebra de protocolos pelos profissionais de saúde na UTI de um hospital universitário em Natal/RN

This is a study descriptive cross-sectional and quantitative approaches, which aimed to analyze the association between hospital infection rate for insertion, maintenance of central venous catheter and the breakdown of protocols (rules and routines) by health professionals assisting patients in the ICU of a university hospital in Natal / RN. The process of data collection was through observation with structured form, refers to medical records and structured questionnaires with health professionals. The results were organized, tabulated, categorized and analyzed using SPSS 14.0. The characterization of the subjects was performed using descriptive and inferential statistics, taking into account the nature of the variables, with analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Spearman correlation test, it was a discussion of the information obtained, considering the mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variance and standard error. The variables that showed a higher level of correlation were treated with the application of significance tests. As the results, 71% of participants were female and 29% male, age ranged from 18 to 85 years (52.6 ± 22.5). The insertion, there was a variation from 0 to 5 errors (1.2 ± 1.4), during maintenance, the average was 2.3 ± 0.9 errors, ranging from 0 to 4. During the insertion and maintenance of CVC, patients who had been an infection ranging from 2 to 9 mistakes (4.2 ± 1.7), since those who did not show the variation goes from 0 to 5 errors (2, 8 ± 1.5). The correlation coefficient between the risk of infection throughout the process and the risk of infection at the insertion showed strong and significant (r = 0.845 p = 0.000) and in relation to risk of infection in maintenance was moderate and significant (r = 0.551 p = 0.001). The mistakes made by professionals in the procedures for insertion and maintenance of the catheter, associated with other conditions, shown as a risk factor for the of IH

Doença cardiovascular em mulheres com histórico de pré-eclâmpsia e seguimento no sistema único de saúde

The aim of the present study was to analyze cardiovascular risk of women with a history of preeclampsia, as well as its follow-upin the National Health System.This is a cross-sectional quantitative research conducted at the Januário Cicco Maternity School. The study population was composed of 573 women selected from a databank belonging to the Women s Health Research Group of the Gynecology Department at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, with a history of preeclampsia, and normotensives who gave birth at this institution five years before. The final sample consisted of 147 women, 64 in the group with a history of PE and 83 normotensives. Data were collected on a questionnaire containing the following: sociodemographic aspects, anthropometric measures, life habits, personal and family history of pregnancy-induced hypertension, family history of cardiovascular diseases and frequency of measuring current blood pressure levels. In relation to the association between cardiovascular risk and altered blood pressure (≥130x85 mmHg), the likelihood of exhibiting the latter condition was significantly higher in women with a history of preeclampsia (CI 95% 4.12-38.92), the overweight and obese (CI 95% 1.70-20.75), and in those with a family historyof CVD and personal history of PIH (CI 95% 0.78-47.07 and CI 95% 3.20-25.39) respectively. Likewise, the probability of having altered blood pressure was higher in women with fasting glycemia ≥100mg/dL (CI 95% 2.09-24.73), as well as in those with triglycerides ≥150mg/dl (CI 95% 1.72-9.66). After fitting the logistic model, diagnosis previous preeclampsia and altered triglycerides remained as explanatory variables.The women with a history of preeclampsia five years before exhibited altered blood pressure levels, clinical and laboratory manifestations suggestive of elevated risk for cardiovascular disease, as well as family and personal history of hypertension. There is no differential treatment or adequate outpatient follow-up for this population in basic health care units

Qualidade de vida, funcionalidade e morbidade referida : avaliação em idosos na atenção básica de saúde

Demographic and epidemiological transformations have led to an increase in elderly populations in the world, and chronic diseases become the main health problem in this population, with consequences for the independence and autonomy, and interfering in the lifestyle and daily activities, and may decrease the welfare and quality of life. So, there is an urgent need for multidisciplinary research on the quality of life, understood as a multidimensional and subjective concept, as well as the associated factors, such as health habits, presence of chronic conditions and functional capacity. Thus, In qualitative terms, the Article 1 provides an assessment and perception of the elderly about their quality of life. Article 2, in turn, presents the results of more extensive quantitative research, which can be seen that age, presence of chronic diseases and depression were associated with the quality of life. Thus, we discuss the need for action was planning and health strategies, with interdisciplinary approach, considering the environmental context and reality of family elders, promoting quality in the process of aging

Avaliação do cuidado na estratégia saúde da família em metrópoles do nordeste brasileiro

Objective: To evaluate the implementation of the Family Health Strategy (FHS) in Brazilian cities of the Northeast, expanding coverage, analyzing the progress, challenges and innovations. Methods: Multicentric Evaluation Research, Studies Baselines in urban centers, using as a case study method. Selected cases of Aracaju, being capital, advanced coverage with extended team, and Fortaleza, capital coverage incipient and minimal staff. In Fortaleza, purposive sample of 11 Units Primary (APS), 03 managers, 53 professionals and 109 users. In Aracaju, 09 units of APS, 02 managers, 36 professionals, and 90 users. Structured interviews for managers, and structured to professionals and users. Descriptive analysis focusing on the political and institutional dimensions, organization and comprehensive care. Results: There was consensus that the ESF is the preferred port users and acts as inducing changes in care. In the case of Fortaleza, the specificities were: care protocols and community activities aimed at chronic conditions (100%) , with greater participation of doctors and nurses (93%) ; conjunction with more complex services, but the teams reported difficulties with the examination center and experts, the long waits and poor access to local services were the main difficulties reported by users., As innovative practice, the therapeutic group of elderly caregivers mentioned by respondents; There was intersectoral initiatives and teams 87 % of users have participated in meetings about health problems. In the case of Aracaju, care protocols were directed to the lines of care and formulated locally, 85 % coverage of the population with FHS counterpart local financing; employees hired by public tender; 70 % of teams with expertise in public health center for continuing education acting; democratization in management; access technologies, welcoming and computerization in different integrated networks, and evaluation matrix. Conclusions: The ESF has promoted access to health care and inclusion of disadvantaged populations. Different perceptions and practices in the organization of care, with distinct trajectories of reorganization. In the case of Fortaleza, predominance of model programs valuing older, with evidence of advances in care practices and teamwork, but restricted to primary care practices and incipient in public policy perspective. In Aracaju, had network integration with technologies related to the family, in which the ESF is consolidated as public policy. It can be argued that the XII APS expanding coverage, exhibited efficacy, despite the challenges inherent to the different degrees of implementation

Representações sociais sobre o acidente de trabalho em saúde

The aim of the present study was to identify the representational elements of workrelated accidents in the health field, as well as investigate their most frequent occurrences at a university hospital, seeking to understand the cognitive, affective and social elements subjacent to the work process involved in health. The analysis focused on 470 middle and senior support staff of this hospital, based on the theoretical-methodological support of the Social Representations Theory. A combination of the following instruments was used for data collection: a free wordassociation test, a questionnaire, an interview and a field journal. Evoc 2000 software was used to identify representational structure. Chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests, at a significance level of 5%, were performed to verify the association between the independent variables and the occurrence of work accidents. In addition, thematic content analysis and lexicographic analysis by ALCESTE software program were used to understand textual content. It was observed that social representations of work-related accidents in the health area are centered in the contamination category, while the categories of prevention and professional unpreparedness are found peripherally. There was a significant association between the existence of multiple employment, the use of personal protective equipment (PPI) during work, job satisfaction and the occurrence of work accidents. The conclusions indicate that perforating-cutting occupational accidents predominated in the hospital and that the representations of the subjects intertwined, with a traditional discourse of work accidents strongly present in Occupational Health. It is therefore suggested that certain subjective aspects related to culture, in terms of controlling work accidents, such as: management, process, organization and the increasing precariousness

Exercício físico, saúde e qualidade de vida em pessoas com HIV/AIDS em Natal/Rio Grande do Norte

A sobrevida das pessoas com AIDS tem aumentado com o uso das terapias com antiretrovirais (TARV), esses, entretanto, possuem efeitos colaterais que interferem no padrão morfofuncional e hematológico, o que pode levar a alterações na qualidade de vida (QV). Este estudo quase-experimental objetivou avaliar parâmetros antropométricos, funcionais, hematológicos e de QV em pessoas com HIV/AIDS submetidas a um programa de exercícios de 16 semanas. Os participantes tinham idade entre 35 e 51 anos (n=15), eram registrados no Núcleo de atendimento do Hospital Giselda Trigueiro em Natal/Rio Grande do Norte e apresentaram CD4350cel/mm3, lipodistrofia e estavam em TARV. Foram avaliados o índice de massa corpórea (IMC), a relação cintura-quadril (RCQ), o percentual de gordura (%G), a força escapular e manual, a contagem de CD4, carga viral e QV, antes e após a intervenção. Essa foi realizada com exercícios de aquecimento e utilizou como base os exercícios resistidos, realizados 3x/semana, com 1h e intensidade de 60 a 75% de 1RM. Observaram-se modificações significativas no %G (p=0,031), força escapular (p=0,007) e preensão manual (p=0,039). Houve aumento no CD4 e a carga viral manteve-se indetectável. Nos domínios da QV, houve mudança significativa no do meio ambiente (p=0,021), espiritualidade, religiosidade e crenças pessoais (p=0,032) e na percepção da qualidade de vida e saúde geral (p=0,005). Os resultados sugerem que os exercícios resistidos para essa população constituem agente terapêutico coadjuvante no controle dos efeitos colaterais advindos da TARV, promovendo modificações na composição corporal, aumento da capacidade funcional e dos níveis de CD4, mantendo estável a carga viral e melhorando a QV. Sugerimos novos estudos com maior tempo de intervenção e com o acompanhamento de equipes multidisciplinares, o que poderá promover melhorias mais significativas na qualidade de vida e efetuar maior controle nas variáveis intervenientes

Atividades educativas aos portadores de periodontite crônica: escuta e troca de saberes no autocuidado em saúde bucal

This research aimed at evaluating oral health education activities for Periodontitis carriers, emphasizing the motivation for self-care and understanding the cultural aspects involved. This was a qualitative and quantitative study. Based on the qualitative referential, 20 interviews were done, in which differences between scientific and popular explicative models of the health-illness process were verified, besides the increased knowledge and motivation in relation to the use of preventive measures and also the fails in the understanding of the chronic character of periodontitis, enhancing frustration and guilty feelings in the patients. Two groups were structured: intervention and control. The intervention group was submitted to clinical attendance and education activities, while the control group undergone the traditional clinical attendance only. The sample consisted of 51 participants of intervention group and 47 of control group. Structured interviews were conducted at the beginning and at the end of the treatment in order to evaluate the knowledge and motivation for self-care in both groups. For comparison between the previous and post moments in both groups, there were applied McNemar tests with a probability of p < 0.05. In intervention group there was an increase in knowledge related to the name, the causes and related factors of the disease (p < 0.05). In control group there wasn t a rise in the understanding of the diseases chronic character, unlike in intervention group. However, in what concerns self-care, a greatest frequency in medium and high scores was observed in both groups. By this study, it is conclude that there is a common sense knowledge about the importance of preventive techniques and poor oral health as causing periodontitis; clinical interventions for bearers of chronic Periodontitis do not add values to the patients, regarding the illness, its causes and its chronic character; popular beliefs stay in their imagination, and the patients have a increased motivational capacity for self-care

Qualidade de vida do servidor da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte em condição crônica de saúde

The study aimed to analyze the influence of chronic health conditions (CHC) on quality of life (QOL) of UFRN servers assaulted by CHC. It is a descriptive and cross-sectional study with prospective data and quantitative approach, accomplished in the ambulatory clinic of the Department of Server Assistance (DSA) of the Pro-Rectory of Human Resources, during three months. The sample was composed by accessibility, totaling 215 people, being 153 active and 62 inactive servers, in chronic health condition. The data were collected through the application of the sociodemographic characterization, health, environmental and laboral form, the Medical Outcome Study 36-Item Short Form (SF-36). The study was evaluated by the HUOL Ethics Committee (CAAE no. 0046.0.294.000.10), obtaining assent. The results were analyzed in the SPSS 15.0 program through the descriptive and inferential statistics. It was identified servants predominantly male (59,1%), under 60 years old, married or in stable union, Catholics, brown color, living in the capital and residents in own home. Regarding labor issues, there was a predominance of active servers technical-administrative with intermediate and medium level positions and small proportion of docents. Among the CHC, the non-communicable diseases - NCDs (95.8%) had a higher frequency, followed by persistent mental disorders - PMDs (18.6%) and, finally, the continuous and structural physical deficiency - CSPD (16.9 %). The QOL of servers was considered good, with a mean score of 72.5 points in the total score, with the most affected domains: physical (59.1), general health (66.2), bodily pain (66.3) and functional aspects (72.0). The mental health dimension (76.5) had a better average than the physical dimension (68.0 points). It was found that the decrease in QOL scores is significant statistically related to higher number of CHC (ρ <0.001), with no statistical significance regarding the functional situation (p = 0.259). The administrative technicians of elementary, primary, secondary levels and docents had the worst QOL scores. After the correlation analysis of CHC with the domains and dimensions of the SF-36, there was statistically significant, negative and weak correlation of the domains: functional aspect (ρ = 0.002, r = -0.207), physical aspects (ρ = 0.007; r = -0.183), vitality (ρ = 0.002, r = -0.213), social function (ρ = 0.000, r = -0.313), emotional aspects (ρ = 0.000, r = -0.293), mental health (ρ = 0.000 , r = -0.238), physical health dimension (ρ = 0.002, r = -0.210) and mental health dimension (ρ = 0.000, r = -0.298). The presence of PMD isolated or together, contributed to a lower SF-36 scores, being the domains variation of mean significant, except for bodily pain, general health and physical aspects. By correlating the categories of CHC and QOL, there was a weak correlation (r ≤ -0.376) and significant (ρ ≤ 0.011), mainly related to the NCD, PMDs and NCD + PMD, affecting the mental health, social function, emotional aspects, vitality and functional aspect domains. Front of the results, it was concludes that the servers quality of life is influenced by the CHC. Thus, it was inferred that the presence of CHC causes a negative effect on quality of life, leading the active and inactive servers to exposure their overall life activities and work over the years, due to the morbidity affected, mainly related to NCDs and PMDs. Descriptors: Quality of life. Chronic disease. Occupational Health. Nursing

Aptidão física e psicológica relacionada à saúde de policiais militares da cidade de Natal

condições de saúde são questões que precisam ser investigadas na nossa sociedade. Diante da inexistência de estudos que abordem os aspectos psicológicos e físicos desses profissionais, tornou-se necessário e relevante esta investigação para a área de segurança pública num contexto multidisciplinar. O estudo objetivou verificar as características da aptidão física e psicológica relacionada à saúde de policiais militares do Batalhão de Atividades Policiais Especiais (BOPE), da Polícia Militar do Rio Grande do Norte. A amostra selecionada de forma aleatória foi composta de 64 militares de diferentes graduações, do sexo masculino com idade média de 26,2±2,6 anos. Foram utilizados como instrumentos de medida o Questionário de Saúde Geral de Goldberg para avaliar a saúde geral; uma balança digital da marca Techline®, e estadiômetro portátil da marca Sanny® para avaliar a massa corporal e a estatura; fita antropométrica metálica Sanny® para avaliar a perimetria (circunferência do braço contraído, circunferência da panturrilha); paquímetro Sanny® para avaliar os diâmetros ósseos (bi-epicondilar umeral e bi-epicodilar femural); adipômetro Harpender® para avaliar a espessura das dobras cutâneas; dinamômetro manual Jamar para avaliar a força de preensão manual; flexímetro Sanny®, fotocélulas CEFISE modelo Speed Test Fit e o YoYo Intermitent Recovery Test para avaliar o desempenho físico ( flexibilidade, agilidade, velocidade e endurance anaeróbica). Os participantes apresentaram valores elevados para risco de distúrbio ou mesmo a presença de distúrbio, no que se refere à saúde geral; o grupo estudado é classificado como mesoendomorfico, predominando características de endurance aeróbico e anaeróbico e força que foram relacionadas com os aspectos psicológicos. O perfil somatotípico meso-endomorfo parece interferir nos elevados riscos de distúrbios psicológicos advindos da atividade laboral exigida, apesar dos mesmos apresentarem um bom desempenho físico

Cartografia da percepção de mês e profissionais sobre a atenção a saúde de crianças/adolescentes soropositivos no município de Natal

This study had as objective to identify to the perception of mothers and professionals of health on the attention to the health of HIV-Positive children/adolescents in the city of Natal-RN. It is a descriptive-exploratory study with quantitative and qualitative approach, carried through in the Giselda Trigueiro Hospital and in the State and Municipal Health Councils in Natal - RN, from march to december of 2005. The sample was composed by 56 participants, 33 mothers of children who use specialized assistance and 23 professionals. Data collection occurred with the application of a half-structuralized interview. Quantitative data were analyzed through descriptive statistics and qualitative data were submitted to content analysis. Prevailing categories in relation to the cartography of the attention to seropositive children and adolescents in Natal were: Organization and dynamics of the attention; Institutional management and human development; Control and prevention; other contexts of attention; relationship/communication team-patient and organization and functioning of the services. The profile epidemiologist of the children, adolescents and of the people/mothers, who take care of them with HIV/Aids, followed the evolution of the epidemic in the country and the world. It was verified that mothers need care and information; however they make a positive evaluation of the attendance they receive. It was also observed many gaps in the services of assistance, in which the researched group was attended, beyond imperfections in the communication between health professionals and users. The professionals recognize the advances that the politics represent for the assistance of people with Aids; however feel themselves limited by the precariousness of the system and the partner-economic conditions of the people. According to these data, it can be verified great challenges to go through in the context of integrality of the assistance to HIV positive children and adolescents in the city of Natal and in the improvement of the communication in the institution of reference

A concepção de professores do ensino fundamental (1ª e 4ª) sobre a saúde do escolar

Com a criação dos Parâmetros Curriculares Nacional (PCNs), a saúde passou a ser um tema transversal que deve ser trabalhado por todos os níveis de ensino em toda a escola, principalmente pelos professores do ensino fundamental, os quais têm uma grande responsabilidade no processo de formação dos valores e de condutas dos escolares. Com o objetivo de investigar a concepção dos professores de ensino fundamental (1ª a 4ª séries) sobre a saúde do escolar, este estudo teve como amostra 45 professoras lotadas em 04 escolas públicas e 04 escolas privadas no município de Natal/RN. Para a coleta dos dados foi utilizado um questionário semi-estruturado, sendo os mesmos analisados por meio da análise temática. A faixa etária com maior prevalência foi a superior a 40 anos, com 58% de professoras. Com relação ao grau de formação acadêmica das docentes investigadas, 47% delas tem o terceiro grau completo e, 40% possuem apenas formação no magistério. No que se refere ao tema transversal saúde, 27% das professoras não realizaram estudos sobre o mesmo e, 40% das docentes não se sentiam preparadas para desenvolver esse conteúdo, apontando como principal fator limitante à falta de conhecimento mais profundo sobre saúde e a falta de material didático adequado. Sobre a importância em se trabalhar a saúde, 29% das respostas referiram-se aos cuidados com a saúde, e 20% em prevenir e conhecer doenças. Pode-se concluir que é necessária uma capacitação específica referente à temática em questão, o que deve ser acompanhada de políticas públicas que incentivem o profissional da educação e ofereça estrutura ao ambiente escolar

Fisioterapia e sociedade: ações do Sistema Único de Saúde no Rio Grande do Norte

The work has objective to present actions of Physiotherapy, developed by SUS in the State of Rio Grande do Norte; discuss under the humanization point of view such actions of health; discuss the importance of physioterapy to the Norte-Riograndense, or maybe its role in the perpetuation of actions of health centered in the binomial cause/efect. The study was done in the State of Rio Grande do Norte. The data were obtained through public sources gathered in the health secretrary ship of this State. The collected data talks about physiotherapy sections developed by SUS in several areas of the State; such data was collected and analysed after the aproval of Ethic and Resarch Committee of Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte. Concerning the physiotherapy, along with the State Health Secretaryship of the State fo Rio Grande do Norte, there were only records of attending based on cure/rehabillitation, not being observed during the curse of study, any record or action of prevention, promotion and protection towards health. It s possible to notice that there is a highligth to the interventions focusing on the treatment of illness of rheumatic origin and general complaints related to the vertebral column. Such research evidenced that the Physiotherapy in the SUS in the State priorizes the individualized attending centered in the carteziano health/illness model, where the developde actions are turned to the curative and rehabilliting attention, with role fo some or no highligth in the primary attention

Automedicação e guarda de medicamentos por universitários das áreas de saúde e tecnologia

This study aimed to compare self-medication and domestic drug storage among undergraduate students in the areas of health and technology. This is a descriptive study of cross-sectional type and quantitative approach, conducted in a Public University of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The sample consisted of 300 students of the third year of undergraduate courses at the Center for Health Sciences and Technology Center, selected through a simple random sample. The project was authorized by the Ethics Committee of Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (CAAE 0137.0.051.000-10). Data collection lasted twelve months and was conducted during the period of study participants, in the university environment. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire consisting of open and closed questions. For data analysis, we used descriptive statistics and applied Fisher s exact test and Chi-square test with adopted level of significance α=5% and 10%. For the variables that correlated with self-medication (p<0.05), we subsequently calculated the odds ratios and confidence intervals. The prevalence of undergraduate students who performed self-medication in the 15 days prior to the collection accounted for 33.7% and, by analyzing each knowledge area, we verified was a higher prevalence of self-medication among students in the technological area (37.3%). The analysis of the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants in this practice revealed a significant difference between the knowledge areas in the income and self-medication variables (p=0.005). General analgesics and antipyretics (N02) represent the therapy group most used in self-medication (57.4%), especially acetaminophen (28.7%), and the main health situations that motivated this practice related to pain, especially headaches (48.5%). Regarding the indication of the drugs used, the majority of students self-medicated themselves on their own (71.3%). As regards to the in-home drug storage, most of the participants had a home pharmacy (88%). By analyzing the socioeconomic characteristics, the variables medical service and home medicine presented a significant difference (p=0.002). General 10 analgesics and antipyretics constituted the medicinal products most found in the home pharmacies, especially acetaminophen. The main room used for the drug storage was the kitchen (36.4%), most students kept these products in boxes of different materials (38.6%) and the medicines stored at home of most of the participants were not easily accessible to children (75%). The results reinforce the need to develop strategies, from the reality found, aiming to encourage and implement educational and preventive activities with undergraduate students on the importance of proper self-medication and in-home drug storage. Despite the sample in our study is relatively small, not representative for the whole country, we believe that, at national level, the panorama of the subject does not present major differences