Ssitema integrado de gestão pública: proposta de implantação de um sistema integrado de gestão, autuação e distribuição de termos circunstanciados e inquéritos policiais entre os juizados especiais criminais e delegacias de Natal

Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte

Gestão de resíduos sólidos domiciliares na cidade de Chibuto, província de Gaza Moçambique

This study analyzes the process of generation and management of solid waste in the Municipality of the City of Chibuto-Mozambique, drawing on the different approaches towards allocation and the socio-environmental implications resulting from this process and waste spatial distribution. To answer these objectives a questionnaire was administered to 367 households distributed in 14 neighborhoods of the city to elicit information on how solid waste is treated and what could be its impact on public health of the residents. From this perspective, the questionnaire gasp information from immigrant residents regarding both their origin, and socio economic condition. Apart from the questionnaire, semi-structured interviews were conducted to staff working on the Sanitation Sector, Urbanization Sector of the Chibuto Municipality, including the Health Service, and Women and Social Affairs. In addition to these data collection methods, for further discussion on the subject, the researcher draw a theoretical framework grounded through literature review, as well as systematic observation of the phenomenon. Research findings revealed that the solid waste collection services provided by the Chibuto Municipality do not follow the procedures laid down in the Regulation on Solid Waste Management, which advocates environmentally safe, sustainable, and complete management of waste. First, the services use open dumps for waste management. Secondly, waste collection does not cover all citizens living in the neighborhoods governed by the municipality, due to financial, technical, and organizational reasons. More importantly, the study found that due to this failure, more than 90% of households surveyed continue to use the traditional methods on waste management which include burning, or the burial techniques. On the other hand, some citizens throw waste on the streets, a method that threatens public health because it increases cases of diseases related to sanitation problems such as (diarrhea and malaria), especially in suburban and peripheral urban areas. Concerning with the above mentioned problems which constitute a real threat to the public health, some ways are proposed for more sustainable and spatially appropriate solid waste management through recycling, waste sorting, composting, reuse, and reduction of solid waste generation.

Reflexões metodológicas sobre prevalência da fluorose dentária nos inquéritos de saúde bucal

OBJETIVO: Analizar limitaciones del estudio de fluorosis dentaria en pesquisas transversales. MÉTODOS: Se utilizaron datos de estudios de de Condiciones de Salud Bucal de la Población Brasileña (SBBrasil 2003) y de la Investigación Nacional de la Salud Bucal (SBBrasil 2010). La estimativa de tendencia epidemiológica de la fluorosis en la población de 12 años, aspectos de la confiabilidad de los datos, así como la precisión de las estimativas, fueron evaluadas en estas dos investigaciones. La distribución de la prevalencia de la fluorosis fue hecha de acuerdo con los dominios de estudio (capitales y regiones) y el año estudiado. Se expresaron también los intervalos de confianza (IC95%) para la prevalencia simple (sin considerar las fases de la gravedad). RESULTADOS: La prevalencia de la fluorosis dentaria presentó una variación considerable, de 0 a 61% en 2003 y de 0 a 59% en 2010. Se observaron inconsistencias en los datos en términos individuales (por año y por dominio) y en el comportamiento de la tendencia. Considerando la expectativa de prevalencia y los datos disponibles en las dos investigaciones, el tamaño mínimo de la muestra debería ser de 1.500 individuos para obtener intervalos de 3,4% y 6,6% de confianza, considerando un coeficiente de variación mínimo de 15%. Dada la subjetividad en la naturaleza de su clasificación, exámenes de fluorosis dentaria pueden presentar más variación de los realizados para otras condiciones de salud bucal. El poder para establecer diferencias entre los dominios del estudio con la muestra de SBBrasil 2010 es bastante limitado. CONCLUSIONES: No fue posible analizar la tendencia de la fluorosis dentaria en Brasil con base en los estudios de 2003 y 2010; esos datos son sólo indicadores exploratorios de la prevalencia de la fluorosis. La comparación se hace imposible por el hecho de haber sido utilizado modelos de análisis diferentes en las dos pesquisas. La investigación de la fluorosis dentaria en pesquisas de base poblacional no es viable técnica y económicamente, la realización de estudios epidemiológicos localizados con plan de muestreo es más adecuada.

Aspectos metodológicos do Projeto SBBrasil 2010 de interesse para inquéritos nacionais de saúde

The SBBrasil 2010 Project (SBB10) was designed as a nationwide oral health epidemiological survey within a health surveillance strategy. This article discusses methodological aspects of the SBB10 Project that can potentially help expand and develop knowledge in the health field. This was a nationwide survey with stratified multi-stage cluster sampling. The sample domains were 27 State capitals and 150 rural municipalities (counties) from the country's five major geographic regions. The sampling units were census tracts and households for the State capitals and municipalities, census tracts, and households for the rural areas. Thirty census tracts were selected in the State capitals and 30 municipalities in the countryside. The precision considered the demographic domains grouped by density of the overall population and the internal variability of oral health indices. The study evaluated dental caries, periodontal disease, malocclusion, fluorosis, tooth loss, and dental trauma in five age groups (5, 12, 15-19, 35-44, and 65-74 years).

Aspectos metodológicos do Projeto SBBrasil 2010 de interesse para inquéritos nacionais de saúde

The SBBrasil 2010 Project (SBB10) was designed as a nationwide oral health epidemiological survey within a health surveillance strategy. This article discusses methodological aspects of the SBB10 Project that can potentially help expand and develop knowledge in the health field. This was a nationwide survey with stratified multi-stage cluster sampling. The sample domains were 27 State capitals and 150 rural municipalities (counties) from the country's five major geographic regions. The sampling units were census tracts and households for the State capitals and municipalities, census tracts, and households for the rural areas. Thirty census tracts were selected in the State capitals and 30 municipalities in the countryside. The precision considered the demographic domains grouped by density of the overall population and the internal variability of oral health indices. The study evaluated dental caries, periodontal disease, malocclusion, fluorosis, tooth loss, and dental trauma in five age groups (5, 12, 15-19, 35-44, and 65-74 years).

Desenvolvimento de filtros cerâmicos impregnados com nanopartículas de prata para desinfecção de água potável

Brazil has vast amounts of hydric resources, whose quality has been deteriorating due to pollutant dumping. Household waste disposal is one of the main sources of water pollution, stimulating bacteria proliferation and introducing microorganisms, including those from fecal matter. Conventional water disinfection methods are a solution, but on the downside, they lead to the formation byproducts hazardous to human health. In this study, aiming to develop bactericidal filters for the disinfection of drinking water; silver nanoparticles were deposited on alumina foams through three routes: sputtering DC, dip coating and in situ chemical reduction of silver nitrate. The depositions were characterized through X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and EDS element mapping. The influence of the depositions on permeability and mechanical properties of the ceramic foams was assessed and, in sequence, a preliminary antibacterial efficiency analysis was carried out. Characterization results indicate that the chemical reduction routes were efficient in depositing homogeneously distributed silver particles and that the concentration of the metallic precursor salt affects size and morphology of the particles. The antibacterial efficiency analysis indicates that the chemical reduction filters have potential for water disinfection

Prevalência da infecção por HPV e perfil das mulheres frente ao exame de papanicolau no município de São José de Mipibú/RN.

The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the major sexually transmitted disease all over the world. There are many factors associated to infection and the virus persistency in the organism. This study aims to evaluate the women's knowledge, attitudes and practice about the Papanicolaou test (Pap), as well as analyze the HPV and Chlamydia trachomatis infections prevalences in sexually active women from the city of São José do Mipibu/RN/Brazil. This research was divided in two steps (step I and step II), using different methodologies and samples each. The samples collected in each step, even socio-demographic or from uterus cervix, are from different patients e were analyzed separated. In step I was evaluated 267 rural and urban zone women s knowledge, attitudes and practices about the Pap by home interview. In the step II were included 605 women with age ranged from 15 to 71 years old, with mean of 33,5 years old and from each one were collected two cervical samples, one for Pap and other for molecular biology, beside the epidemiological interview to investigate the correlation between prevalence of HPV infection and risk factors. To molecular analyses, the samples were processed using a mammal rapid DNA extraction technique protocol. For C. trachomatis DNA detection were used the CP24/27 primers, and GP5+/GP6+ to HPV. PCR products were analyzed by electrophoresis on 8% polyacrylamide gels, followed by silver staining. The results of the step I showed that, in spite of only 46,1% of the interviewed women they have demonstrated to possess appropriate knowledge on the Pap test, the attitude and practice proportions were significantly larger, 63,3% and 64,4% respectively. The largest education degree presented association with adaptation of the knowledge, attitudes and practice, while neglect, lack of solicitation of the exam for the doctor and shame, came as main barriers for the accomplishment of the exam. In the stage II the HPV general prevalence was 28,9%, being 26,7% in the women with normal cytology or benign alterations, 26,7% in the ones that had atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) and 80% in those with Low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL). the HPV infection prevalence was larger in the patients with up to 30 years of age and in the unmarried women, and those that had more than one sexual partner presented larger infection risk. The results show that the sexual relationship with multiple partners increased the infection risk for HPV and consequently the possibility of the occurrence of lesions uterine cervix

Acesso aos serviços odontológicos e incidência de cárie em adolescentes e fatores de risco em município do Nordeste Brasileiro, 2006

The aims of this study were to analyze the access of dental services by child population, to determine the prevalence of dental caries, gingivitis and malocclusion in resident children from the municipal district of Sobral Ceará and to evaluate the incidence of the dental decay in adolescents associated with the factors related to socioeconomic condition, access to health services and self-perception. This study had as main factor the multidisciplinary represented by the participation of health professional (doctors, dentists, nurses) in the development of the survey's initial reference; student from Human Sciences area to apply the structured questionnaire in domiciliary visits; statistics professionals in the orientation of the analysis to be held and family health team (community health agents, dentists and dental clinic assistants) in the scheduling of domiciliary visits and the accomplishment of oral exam. The sample was determined from the domicile record that included children born between 1990 and 1994 to develop the research Children health conditions in the municipal district of Sobral Ceará . The first sample comprised 3425 parents of children from 5 to 9 years old, living in the urban area at the municipal district of Sobral Ceará, aiming at identifying the most important factors associated to the access to dental service. From this sample, 1021 children were selected in a systematic way, for the accomplishment to the epidemiological study of decay, gingivitis and malocclusion. In the study's third phase, in order to arrange the group to be followed, 688 adolescents were examined and interviewed, by means of the active search from the 1021 individuals that had been previously examined. It was observed that 50.9% of the children had access to dental service at least once in a lifetime. Of this total, 65.3% accomplished it during the last year, and 85.4% of these did in public services, what allows to identify the importance of this sector in the access to dental services. It was observed that the factors that most affected the access to dental 129 services were related to socioeconomic condition, such as the access to health plan, the possession of toothbrush, garbage collecting, mother s schooling, sewerage treatment and malnutrition. In relation to oral diseases, an increase in the DMF-T index according the age was observed, from 0.10 in five years old to 1.66 in the nine years old, while with the dmf-t index, the inverse happened, since the index decreased from 3.59 in five years old to 2.69 in nine years old. In relation to gingivitis, an average 32.7% of the children presented gum bleeding. In what concerns malocclusion, it was observed that 60.3% of the children didn't present any problem, 30.17% had light malocclusion and 9.5% severe malocclusion. The average incidence of dental caries was 1.86 teeth per youngster. Among the studied variables, tooth pain in the last six months, mother's income and school snack, adjusted by the perception about the need of treatment, the mother's schooling and the dentist's appointment at least once in a lifetime, were the variables that presented positive relationship with the high incidence of dental caries on this population by logistic regression. Variables of socioeconomic nature, related to the access to health services and behavior and biological variables presented a relationship with the high caries incidence. The study point out to the need of developing health actions in a humanized way, by an oral health team effectively bound to the population's interest, with the great objective to provide, with the public health services managers, adequate conditions to improve oral health

Beirando a vida, driblando os problemas: estratégias de bem viver

The purpose of this study is to analyze the strategies used by families living in at-risk-and-vulnerable situations registered with the Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF) ( Family Health Strategy ) as they face their daily problems. This is an investigation of a qualitative nature, using interview as the main tool for an empirical approach. Ten women from the Panatis location in northern Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, whose families live in precarious social-economical situations were interviewed. The interviews occurred between the months of April and June, 2007. The reports revealed that a mixture of improvisations and creativity was used as strategies for overcoming the privations and necessities of daily life. We also reached the conclusion that these families sought solutions for their problems through religiosity and a gift reciprocity system as resources for obtaining personal recognition and support in adversity. The results, in addition, point to ESF as one of the strategies used by these families in the search for attention and care. From this perspective, ESF has proven to be a place for listening and the construction of ties that are consolidated through home visits, organized groups, in parties and outings that are promoted in the community, reestablishing contact and support among people and signaling a way out of abandonment and isolation. Holders of knowledge constructed through life experiences, the participants of the study led us to induce and infer the need to amplify space that will allow them to express meanings, values and experiences, and consider that becoming ill is a process that incorporates dimensions of life that go beyond the physical. As health professionals, we need to be aware of the multiple and creative abilities used in the daily lives of these families, so that we can, along with them, reinvent a new way of dealing with health

Prática do acolhimento à pessoa idosa na atenção básica: uma estratégia de humanização

The aging of the population already is a fact, before considered a phenomenon, today, is part of the reality of the majority of the societies in the world. The present study it has as objective to analyze the practical one of the shelter developed for the team to multidiscipline for the elderly in the Strategy of Health of the Family. One is about a descriptive and exploratória inquiry, developed by means of quantitative boarding. The population of this study consisted of nineteen teams that work in the inserted ESF in the urban zone of the city of Sousa-PB, understanding a complete of 133 professionals. The collection of date was carried through through a questionnaire contends closed questions, referring to the partner-demographic date e, specific open questions. The main results indicate that the professionals of Health of the city of Sousa, PB, that had participated of this study had consisted in a complete of 76. Amongst these, 20% are nurses, followed of the odontólogos in 6%; 35% are ACS and technician of nursing with 19%. The age of the interviewed ones meets in the age band enters, 21 and 30 years, in 43%. The majority is of the feminine sex with a 84% total. Already in accordance with civil state 34% is married. If treating to the wage, the doctor has of greater of 12 wages. The participants present the percentile greater of formed time of with referring 33% of 1 the 3 years of formation. E finally, the changeable time of performance, if had detached 39% of the participants with 08 the 11 years. With regard to as if it processes the reception and attendance to the person in the ESF, we can observe that, with priority attendance was prominence with 27% of the participants, followed of a considerate attendance with 26%. Already in relation to the actions that are developed daily in the ESF, these they are come back toward the HIPERDIA with 40%, followed of actions ruled in orientation with 27%. Some actions they are carried through in accordance with the aged necessity of each (13%) and through visits domiciliary (9%). It was asked to them as the shelter was facilitated in the UBS, these had told that it is through the attention that is excused the aged one (35%), and finally, as this made it difficult age, in its majority with 37% they had not wanted to answer, followed of the lack of understanding with 26%. With this study it was possible to conclude that the practical one developed for the professionals of the ESF of the city of Sousa, PB with the elderly, is characterized by an assistance ruled in the clinical aspect, little focused in the actions that to permeate the PNH

A busca de sintomáticos respiratórios de tuberculose na prática e perspectiva do agente comunitário de saúde nos distritos sanitários de Natal

The objective of this work - which is characterized analyze the search for symptomatic tuberculosis in practice and perspective of the Community Health Agent (ACS) in the districts of Natal. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. The study population was 646 professionals, and conducted a probabilistic random sampling, stratified by districts. The data were collected from one instrument to collect data based on Primary Care Assesment Toll (PCAT) and analyzed by descriptive statistics. The sample consisted of ACS was 87% female. Among the study participants 58% completed high school and 120 months of exercise training (95% CI 111.9 to 129.5) on average. 90% were USF. The average follow-up of cases found were 2 cases of TB since the beginning of the career of the ACS and the last three years the average is presented in a case accompanied. The ACS received satisfactory ratings on the bond of trust with the user, so as access to homes in the community. The ACS reported for denying the fear of being positive result was the biggest reason for not performing the sputum. All units have a professional that responds to the Tuberculosis Control Program. Regarding the structural capacity of primary care settings for the diagnosis of TB, we observed satisfactory levels in different districts of pots for sputum collection, however, a point that deserves attention from managers is lack of materials for packaging sputum. Fear of positive result was one of the reasons for the refusal of sputum collection, followed by alcoholism. With regard to TB suspects, all responded that ACS always suspect when the user has TB coughs, but in all districts were noticed at low delivery of requests for applications for smear. BSR in TB control, is characterized in practice as a complex action goes beyond technical expertise and contact with the family that breaks with the Cartesian. The BSR is part of the ACS can perform them from the daily visits. We conclude that the ACS is difficult to achieve. This practice should not be the privilege of this actor, but the entire team of primary care. We must rethink the practices of TB care, seeing the health surveillance while aegis of the working process of primary care teams for early diagnosis and thereby reduce TB in communities

As ações de controle da tuberculose na atenção primária à saúde: a visão do doente

Tuberculosis is a disease of great impact on the world context today. In Brazil, the disease management was directed to the Primary Health Care, due to the determination of the Ministry of Health to decentralize health actions for primary care. Thus, since the actions of diagnosis, treatment and control of the disease should happen in this context, however, there are still many barriers that may hinder the realization of these determinations. This study aims to analyze the development of tuberculosis control activities conducted in the services of primary health care from the patient's vision. This is a descriptive, cross-sectional and quantitative study. The population consists of 517 tuberculosis patients treated in units of Primary Health Care in the city of Natal-RN; the sample consists of 93 TB patients. The collect instrument is structured, based in The Primary Care Assessment Tool (PCAT), validated in Brazil and adapted to assess attention to TB in Brazil, with modifications. This instrument was divided into blocks: the first one describes the socio-demographic information of patients with TB and the second one describes the health services working in control, diagnosis and treatment of TB, and includes issues related to the dimensions of primary care: access, bond, services, coordination of care, guidance to the community and family focus. For quantitative analysis, were built indicators for each item of the instrument. The response patterns are followed according to the Likert scale, which was assigned a value between one and five meant that the degree of preference relation (or agreement) of the statements. Values between 1 and 3 were considered unsatisfactory for the indicator, between 3 and less than 4, regular, and between 4 and 5, satisfactory. The results indicate that 62.37% of patients are male, 27.96% aged 41 to 50 years old, and 34.41% unemployed, with low education and low family income. It was found that the reference hospital services are the front door to the patient (59.14%), and are also the local diagnosis of the disease (72.04%). On access, the conditions satisfactory found are: the number of times the patients need to pick up the health care issue, the marking and the facility to get a consultancy in the HS, assistance provided without harm to the individual's attendance labor and facilities related to the proximity between the residence and services; were considered unsatisfactory conditions related to travel to the HS, and on hours and days of operation of services. As for the cast of services were satisfactory and regular actions related to the request for examination to become viable in the first HS, the availability of pot to perform smear and medicines for the treatment, as well as consultations control and receiving information about the disease and the treatment performed; it is considered unsatisfactory the performance of the home care for patients with TB by the HS that acts as a front door, for implementation of the Directly Observed Treatment (DOT), home visits during treatment, the provision of transportation allowance to the patient and the existence of groups for TB patients. Regarding the coordination of care, resulted in regular the action of referring the patient to other HS to obtain examinations, and as unsatisfactory referral to obtain medications. The relationship bond between patient and health team were considered satisfactory in the majority or regular. As for the family and community focus, is satisfactory only the indicator relating to questions from professionals to the patient about the existence of respiratory symptoms in the family. It is considered that there is need for greater commitment from government entities to the incentives required to TB control, as well as the availability of necessary inputs and training of human resources working in the PHC in the ongoing quest to strengthen primary care, as a place of broader host needs to contact the user with the actions and health professionals. It is recommended the adoption of management mechanisms possible to expand the capacity of the health PHC, promoting the service delivery to the user and ensuring attention to population health.

Inclusão da criança com deficiência na estratégia de saúde da família

The objective of analyze the shift of the working process of the ESF team in care of children with disabilities, from awareness-raising actions. It is a qualitative study, with the action-research method. Thirteen health professionals were involved from two teams of ESF unit area of the Unidade de Saúde da Família Dr. Chico Porto (UBSFCP) in Mossoró, from March to August 2011. Data were analyzed following the direction of freirean s thematic analysis. In the situational diagnosis of the current reality of CwD assistance in that UBSFCP, through participant observation and application of semi-structured interviews with professionals, we realize that despite these actions carry some assistance to the CwD, in practice few are used for inclusion and accessibility. The monitoring of the CwD is done through individual consultations by each team professional, home visits when possible, both ruled on the complaints and problems, with little solving in the used actions. Since the need for a change in the treatment model and training requirements as pointed out by professionals in the interview, then we decided to build the proposed of training suggested by the multidisciplinary team and put together collectively the achievement of this moment in all its phases. In the step of implementation (action), aspects related to the current situation in Brazil and Mossoró (Laws, policies and health care) for the CwD and CwD Assistance and their family in the ESF in the first two moments of the first training (action) were contemplate. On the second day we discussed the specialized care to CwD, contribution of the Handicapped Parents and Friends Association of Mossoró and in a second moment a workshop was held in which awareness for inclusion of CwD and actions of ESF were discussed. All these moments were discussed and collectively constructed. In the evaluation, we found that implementation (action) allowed to the professional the comprehension of new understandings about people with disabilities, on ways to include, guiding, caring, watching, and mainly to have a new vision on health assistance of the CwD, expanding assistance beyond clinical aspects and recognizing the educational aspects of the rights and duties of citizens and the inclusion of these children in the social spaces area. As difficulties, we face the need for some professionals to be absent to attend another job, solve personal problems, and little or no participation. Thus, during this action-research, the subjects were able to realize the importance of carrying out their practice to the quality of life for him and to the one they care

Validação de conteúdo do instrumento para consulta de enfermagem na visita domiciliar às pessoas com lesão medular: um enfoque no autocuidado

This study aimed to validate the contents of an Instrument for Nursing Consultation in the Home Visit of people with Spinal Cord Injury (INCEVDOP-LM), based on the Self-Care Deficit Theory. The methodological development study was conducted with spinal cord injured (SCI) people ascribed in the Family Health Units the city of Natal/RN/Brazil, and with the nurses of these institutions. The study was conducted from Januray 2012 to January 2013 in two phases: the first aimed to identify the need for self-care of persons with SCI, and the second to develop and validate the INCEVDOP-LM. The first phase consisted of a census study of people with SCI living in Natal/RN. In the second phase, a non-probabilistic convencience sample of subjects was selected to form two groups: First stage - Group 1 of the first stage was comprised by 73 adults with SCI diagnosed with paraplegia or tetraplegia, with cognitive function preserved and that were registered to some family health unit; Group 2 of the Second phase was composed of six experts that were nurses with doctoral formation, scientific experience in the area of technology development or assistance to persons with SCI, and with publications in periodicals Qualis A2. Data collection of the first phase was conducted through home visits of people with SCI that responded three instruments: Questionnaire I (comprised of demographic and socioeconomic variables), The Competency Rating Scale for Self-care (ASA) and the Barthel Index (an instrument for evaluation of functional capacity). The research for the second phase was conducted in two stages: I-construction of the INCEVDOP LM; II-validation of the INCEVDOP-LM. The instrument and an evaluation form were forwarded to the experts for the validation. The correlations between the responses were analyzed by the Kappa test, with accepting values of>0.75. The evaluation criteria were: organization, clarity, simplicity, readability, appropriateness of vocabulary, objectivity, accuracy, reliability and suitability and the positive responses with frequency values of≥90% were considered excellent. The chi-square test was used to investigate the differences between proportions. The study attended to the principles of Human Rights CNS Resolution 196/96. Results were reported by means of four articles derived from the study. The findings indicate that the items that showed disagreement among experts (k=0.02) were diagnoses, interventions and evaluation of the nursing features pertaining to the domains of Nutrition, Hygiene, Elimination, Physical, Social and Psychological, and of the Ability to perform work activities feature. Agreement among the experts were reported for the other items, with kappa ranging from 0.72 to 1. After removing items with disagreement, all criteria achieved excellent rates and no significant differences were observed between the proportions of responses of evaluation of experts (p>0.05). We conclude that the instrument shows validity to serve as a guide for nurses to conduct a systematic consultation during the home visit to people with spinal cord injury, with emphasis on self-care. The instrument must go through other levels of validation when applied in the clinical setting

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