Biologia populacional comparada de duas espécies de heliconius (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) em um ambiente sazonal de floresta atlântica do nordeste brasileiro

Tropical environments often face strong seasonal variations in climate, such as alternate periods of dry and rain, that may often be important influence in the annual X the organisms lives. Here we assess how population dynamics of two butterfly species (Heliconius erato and Heliconius mepomene) respond to environmental and seasonal variations. A mark-release-recapture study carried out in an Atlantic forest reserve, 15 Km from Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, for 3 years, during the dry and rainy season, with three visits weekly done. Information such as species, wing lenght, site of capture, pollen load and phenotype (number of spots) (in H. erato only) were noted for each capture. Seasonal variation exists in capture rates of the two species, with great capture rates during the rainy season. Despite finding differences in the mean density of individuals of the two species among the different collection areas, this difference was only significant between floodplain and central areas, and no influence of seasonality was observed in the mean density between the areas. Seasonality in wing size was only observed for H. erato, with larger wings during the rainy season. Females carried larger pollen loads than males both species, but species were similar. Only males differed seasonally, with larger pollen loads during the rainy season. The distribution of the number of wing spots did not vary between the dry and rainy seasons, and the number of spots in males and females was similar. Therefore, we conclude that there was a strong influence of seasonal variation in the population dynamic of the two Heliconius species, as well as in several aspects of their biology

Como se fora brincadeira de roda: a ciranda da ludopoiese para uma educação musical humanescente

The present work concerns an auto-ethnographic study based on life experiences and reflections of an educator at Escola Viva Preschool and Elementary-Middle School, located in the city center of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte. As a cognitive model of operation, we use the metaphor of the Circle Dance. The objective of this study is to identify, interpret and describe the ludopoetics that are achieved through a Musical Education program, which we denominate, Humanescent. The data of this investigation was derived from the music making by Preschool and Elementary-Middle School students at Escola Viva during 2007, 2008 and 2009, from which 20 learners were selected to form the corpus, along with the description and interpretation of photos of their experiences and sand tray scenes. We justify the methodological systemization of the research based on our own pedagogical practice, which supports Musical Education in the schools based on the principals of Embodiment, Autopoesis and Flow. The methodological systemization was developed through an Action Research model and on the concepts of Systemic Development, with the goal of re-reading the context investigated through the structuring of categories of Ludopoesis: Self-esteem, Self-territory, Self-connectivity, Self-realization and Selfworth. We used an observant-participant research approach with regard to the perception of emergent knowledge, the surroundings, the experience lived and the contextual and vibration of the circumstances. Besides this, we used projection to interpret the experiences lived, in the form of drawings, short poems, letters or sand tray scenes as symbolic interpretations of experience. In the unfolding of the Ludopoetic Process (Selfesteem, Self-territory, Self-connectivity, Self-realization and Selfworth) we draw conclusions about the relevance of the ludic musical experience, which foments the formation of the self based on music learning, and which is demonstrated in the Embodiment of the learners. In the auto-formative process (of learners and educators) we observe the importance of pedagogical work based on Musical Humanescent Education that gives value to the music making path to the construction of music and performance in play, creativity, and sensibility. The experience of making music in a playful way allows for organization of the self and its autonomous production in the joy of living within a ludopoetic process. These findings highlight the educator as in a permanent state of selfformation, which generates moments of flow. However, in Musical Humanescent Education, music is learned collectively, doing a circle dance, experiencing love, fostering an expansion of the creative spirit, and giving recognition to playfulness as a necessary condition for education and to the value of music made with the true nature and sensibilities of the educators

O ensino de artes nos anos iniciais do ensino fundamental: (re)pensando a prática docente

This paper aims to investigate the formative needs of Elementary School Arts teachers at municipal public schools in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, working in the initial grades. The research was developed using the qualitative approach and the investigation can be classified as an action research-inspired collaborative, distinguished by mutual collaboration among all participants, as well as a reflection upon their practice. Conducted with four Arts teachers of Municipal Education de Natal/RN, this work triggered a (re)thinking of teaching practice in Arts, discussing the teachers' formation and encouraging a group reflection about their academic and professional path. Their motivation towards teaching was also discussed, as well as the way their progress as Arts teachers and the contributions and limits of college education, also including experiential knowledge as a possibility of formation. The main formative needs suggested by the research were knowledge on child development and child learning, and the need of an Arts curriculum proposal for the initial grades of Elementary School. From those data, a reflexive context was built with the participant teachers to give a new meaning to Arts teaching practice in the first years of Elementary School. Finally, it was shown that the Arts teacher formation must be broad and involve not only specific knowledge on Arts, but also knowledge about childhood. It was also clearly shown that a curriculum review in education undergraduate courses must be considered, besides the offering of a continual formation to teachers already giving classes. Concerning the Arts curriculum proposal, it should be done based on a work joining officials of Municipal Education, research and formation institutions and teachers working in the first years of Elementary School. Finally, the work highlights the Arts are essential in all levels of Elementary School, since its first years, and it must be taught and learnt since childhood

Um estudo sobre a aprendizagem de números irracionais no ensino médio

The present study describes theoretical practical relationships between development and application of activities in Mathematics education. It s proposed a methodological approach to Mathematics in the first grade of Ensino Médio, supported by an experiment involving Irrational Numbers education by using constructive activities, applied obeying an educational sequence. Constructivism is used as an important theoretical reference in teaching learning process of Mathematics. The methodological intervention was done with two classes of students of the first grade of Ensino Médio, in two public schools, a state one and a federal one, located on the city of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte. The development, application and testing of the activities used on this experiment led us to think more profoundly about the value of constructivism ideas and understand that the use of activities that obey an educational sequence favors the learning. It s also discussed the research results, commented on a way to contribute to the advances of the proposal and it s more constant use. The participation and testing of the students were analyzed and judged using Skemp s Instrumental Understanding and Relational Understanding concepts. The results of the research were considered good, so we believe this methodological intervention can be used more frequently in the classes of Ensino Médio and also be applied to teachers in courses of initial education and continuous formation

O Evangelho segundo a Pastoral da Criança :por uma pedagogia da sobrevivência

This work aims to analyze social and educational actions at Pastoral da Criança, using education as a survival tool. This was done at Parque dos Coqueiros, a neighborhood in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte. The methodology for data collection was composed of comprehensive interview (Jean Kaufmann), participant observation (Robert Bogdan) and documental analysis (Le Goff); all os which bring reflections related to concepts such as strategies, tatics and know how (Michel de Certeau), configuration (Nobert Elias), and control technology (Michel de Foucault), care ethics (Leonardo Boff) and etno-theories (Natália Ramos). Pastoral da Criança is a social action organism that belongs to the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil, originated at Florestópolis, Londrina (Paraná), in the year of 1983. These actions have been an expression of a new logic of actions of the Catholic Church. It values the participation of laymen in the activities of the Pastoral. Thus, the parish is seen as a nucleus that irradiates the Church s Social Doctrine. At Rio Grande do Norte this institution has guided poverty stricken families on issues related to children s health as well as working with laymen for volunteer work. This is considered devotion, that is firmed by an individual and group mystique. The social and educational actions are done in three axes: 1) Monthly home visits, where there is mother-child support; 2) Life Celebration Day, where they weigh children and promote nutritional surveillance; 3) Meeting for Evaluation and Reflection, that aims to articulate community leaders to think about problems attached to the social actions they realize. This action tripod , as it is called by the Pastoral Agents are the types of actions that fundament survival education for poor children ranging from 0 to 6 years old. The families learn to deal with prevention, the essential, the alternative and probabilities of survival tactics due to exclusion matters or even social extermination. The Pastoral da Criança aims to recover childhood emotions in poverty stricken areas. It also has influence in the diminishing of malnutrition and mother and child mortality. This education for survival is the base on the art of teaching and learning of poverty stricken children. It is a social educational action, non assistencialist, but considered a shy action in order to promote mobilization of the communities that are accompanied for the emancipation and change of social conditions

Um estudo sobre a aprendizagem de alguns conceitos algébricos e geométricos

The objective of the present work was develop a study about the writing and the algebraic manipulation of symbolical expressions for perimeter and area of some convex polygons, approaching the properties of the operations and equality, extending to the obtaining of the formulas of length and area of the circle, this one starting on the formula of the perimeter and area of the regular hexagon. To do so, a module with teaching activities was elaborated based on constructive teaching. The study consisted of a methodological intervention, done by the researcher, and had as subjects students of the 8th grade of the State School Desembargador Floriano Cavalcanti, located on the city of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte. The methodological intervention was done in three stages: applying of a initial diagnostic evaluation, developing of the teaching module, and applying of the final evaluation based on the Mathematics teaching using Constructivist references. The data collected in the evaluations was presented as descriptive statistics. The results of the final diagnostic evaluation were analyzed in the qualitative point of view, using the criteria established by Richard Skemp s second theory about the comprehension of mathematical concepts. The general results about the data from the evaluations and the applying of the teaching module showed a qualitative difference in the learning of the students who participated of the intervention

Vivências de familiares do paciente internado em unidade de terapia intensiva: estudo fenomenológico

This study originated from my concerns as critical care nurse, regarding the lived experience of the family member of the patient that is hospitalized in the intensive care unit - ICU. The purpose of the study was to comprehend the experience of the family members while having a loved one interned in an ICU, and to identify the common elements of the phenomenon, based on the descriptions of their experiences. Considering that the object of study involves subjective and social questions, the study was conducted using some fundamental ideas of descriptive phenomenology as a referential and the situated phenomenon as suggested by Martins and Bicudo (1989). Ten (10) family members of patients that were interned in the ICU of private hospital in Natal, RN were interviewed using the following leading question: What is it like to have a member of your family interned in the ICU? Five thematic structural categories emerged from the comprehensive analysis of the interviews: Fear of the family member s death; Lack of humanization; Social isolation; Confidence in the ICU; and Overload to the personal life. The description of the phenomenon enabled a new look at how the care team relates to the family members of the patients interned in the ICU, providing some guidance on how to construct a humanized care that involves the family and that is based on affective human relations. This involves a rethinking of the care provided by team to the family and stimulates the reformulation of personal and social attitudes, and of hospital organizational norms

Vivendo e aprendendo no ambiente hospitalar: Percepções de crianças sobre a doença

This study focuses on the child within the hospital environment. Its purpose is to describe children s perceptions of their illness and time in hospital and to identify their main hardships during treatment. This study has a qualitative nature and is theoretically and methodologically supported by the creative and sensitive method developed by Cabral (1998), studies by Piaget, Vygotsky and Wallon on child development, and studies conducted by Pinto (2005), Collet (2004), Chiattone (2003), Silva (2002), Lima et.al (1999) on in-patient children. For this study, 13 children between the ages of 7 and 12 at a public hospital institution specialized in child care in the city of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, were interviewed. As a criterion for taking part in this study the children would have to have been in hospital for over three days and be fully capable of physically and emotionally interacting with the researcher at the time the interview took place. Analysis drew on the study of the empirical material made up of interviews and a field diary where notes had been entered for the children s reactions, expressions and gestures. Results show that there is some understanding, on the part of these children, of their illness, with their parents as the main informants. They accept being in hospital because they need treatment, but they realize that life becomes different especially on account of the constraints resulting from the illness and the hospital itself. The main hardships during treatment are: lack of recreational activities in the evenings and on the weekends within the hospital environment; absence of family members, especially brothers and sisters; and lack of explanation on the part of health professionals regarding some procedures as these are being carried out. Our conclusion is that children perceive illness and the hospital environment as something that changes the rhythm of their lives bringing on them perturbations, fears and anxieties. Hence, we suggest that professionals working with in-patient children should be especially prepared to deal with these children and their parents, aiming at bringing down fears and anguishes, clear their doubts and, in addition, advise the parents in respect of their children s treatment while in hospital and after hospital discharge. The hospital environment should also be cheerful and colorful and have a toy room under the coordination of persons especially prepared for that purpose

A aprendizagem na convivência:o estágio curricular em enfermagem

This is an analytic research of a qualitative nature whose purpose is to examine the learning process involving students of the Nursing Program of the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte UFRN who are attending the Supervised Clerkship in Nursing (SCN) in Family Health Strategy (FHS), based on learning through daily living. In order to do this, a historical overview of this academic activity in the teaching of nursing was presented, and the importance of FHS as the scene where professional health education takes place was discussed. For the empirical investigation, ten eighth-semester students involved in clerkship activities at family health units in the Western Sanitary District of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, were interviewed. The theoretical approach relied, as epistemological presupposition, on the ideas of educator Humberto Maturana who showed that learning, both in nature and among human beings, takes place within dialogic living relationships wherein acceptance of the other, affectivity (love) and dialoguing are essential stimuli to learning. Students discourses gradually became part of the analytic categories that had been established beforehand. There has been verified that the students went through meaningful learning encouraged by all who shared the living environment, that is: nurse/instructor, teacher/supervisor, family health staff, and the community. Several feelings were involved in the process, such as joy, satisfaction, self-reliance, affectivity and, in the opposite direction, sadness, indignation, a feeling of impotence, and fear. The learning of interpersonal relationship was describe as the most relevant of the academic experiences and, therefore, thus emphasizing the relevance of affectivity to the learning process as Maturana points out. It is suggested that the teaching of nursing keep on giving priority to family health units as the Basic Care educational scene, with attention to the importance of placing the students in welcoming environments, in such a way as to encourage learning

As representações sociais da morte e do processo de morrer para profissionais que trabalham em unidade de terapia intensiva uti

This study aimed to seize the general social representations of doctors and nurses who work in ICUs on the process of death and dying. We also aimed to know the social representations of these professionals in relation to death and the process of dying of people who are under their care, identify factors that influence the construction of these representations and identify similarities and differences between the two professions. The study was conducted from the perspective of the Theory of Social Representations of Serge Moscovici and the Central Nucleus of Jean-Claude Abric. The study was conducted in the Intensive Care Unit of Natal Hospital Center, a private hospital of the city of Natal - Rio Grande do Norte. This is descriptive and exploratory research. Twenty-four (24) professionals were interviewed, twelve (12) nurses and twelve (12) doctors. Data were collected through two instruments: Test of Free Association of Words, semi-structured interview. Later, they were coded, categorized and analyzed according to Content Analysis of Bardin (1977). The words evoked after the use of inducing words - death and dying - and the interviews, led to three thematic categories: Death and dying as a biological event, death and dying as a psychosocial event, death and dying as a transcendental event. As final considerations, we believe that the social representations of the group are translated in death and dying as biological and psychosocial events and anchored in the transcendental aspects, we do not see obvious differences in the testimonies of doctors and nurses , and the factors that interfere the construction of these offices is the culture, including religion

Trajetória de vida de ex-portadores de hanseníase com histórico asilar

Hansen's disease, despite significant advances regarding the diagnosis, treatment and control still carries an immense burden of stigma as a result, mainly of its socio-historical marked by prejudice and isolation of patients, translated by suffering, abandonment and psychosocial problems. Thus, the study set out to rescue the life stories of former leprosy patients with a leprosarium history; recovering the life trajectory stories of these former patients and to identify common factors to these life stories. Exploratory-descriptive study with a qualitative approach, using the Life History Research Methodology. The sample was composed by twelve former leprosy patients who lived while undergone treatment in the Colony Hospital St. Francisco de Assis, located in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte. The network was composed without considering sex and age limit, patients that lived in the Colony Hospital for at least six months and who agree to participate freely in the study. The subjects with special physical needs (hearing) or mental disabilities and those who do not agree to participate were excluded. A semi-structured interview was used to data collection, the interviews were recorded in the household context of individual, residents in neighborhoods Felipe Camarão, Km 6 and Jardim America, more precisely at Nova Vida village, all located in that district. The data collected were subjected to the technique of thematic content analysis. This study had obtained an appropriate consent of the UFRN Research Ethics Committee under the protocol No. 016/2010. After extensive and careful readings of life stories we identified three themes that guided the data analysis: behavioral stages, social exclusion and, stigma and prejudice. Thus, it is clear that the practice of compulsory confinement of patients in nursing homes and the mythical image of Hansen's disease as being ugly and deformed, contributed to solidifying the historical stigma surrounding the disease and its patients, raising in society and family attitudes and feelings of exclusion, prejudice and fear. Moreover, there are remarkable stories in the lives of these interviewed reporting suffering, denials, anger that reverberate to this day, affecting negatively the social and family reintegration of these individuals. As a result, we see the need for managers and local health professionals, especially nurses, rethink existing strategies for social rehabilitation of the patient and ex-leprosy patient aiming to suppression unjust and harmful stigma rooted in image and stories of these individuals

Atuação do enfermeiro na estratégia de atenção integrada às doenças prevalentes na infância

This study aimed to describe nurses' actions in the strategy of Integrated Management of Childhood Illness in the city of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte. This is a qualitative study with descriptive approach. The universe consisted of nurses from the Family Health Strategy, totaling 16 participants. For the research project was submitted for approval by the Ethics Committee of the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, obtaining Opinion No. 187/2012. Data were obtained in two ways: a questionnaire survey to profile the training of nurses and an interview guided by a structured interview. Interviews were treated in the light of analysis of thematic category Bardin. The results showed the central thematic study "Integrated Management of Childhood Illness in the context of nursing activities" category and three analyzes: "Understanding the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness", "Difficulties invibializam use IMCI "and" Working conditions for nurses in the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness. " It is observed that nurses consider the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness useful, effective and important to keep sick children within the logic curative. However disregard the character of health promotion and disease prevention thereof. It was found that the participants still hold the attendance of crinaças within the biomedical model and that these same professionals are subjected to increasingly precarious working conditions and unhealthy due to lack of human and material resources. It was found that the interviewees do not follow the protocols of strategy because of barriers related to prescription medications by nurses, the medical, the lack of incentives, training and supervision by the municipal health and the Regional Nursing Council

Integridade tissular de pacientes com úlceras venosas: um estudo baseado na Classificação dos Resultados de Enfermagem

The venous ulcer is an epidemiological problem of high prevalence, causing disability and dependence. Assess the tissue impairment level of patients with venous lesions, within a nursing referential, is relevant for the implementation of a directed assistance to specific clientele. Thus, this work aims to characterize the health status regarding the integrity the lower limbs skin of patients with venous ulcers, according to the of tissue integrity outcome indicators from the Nursing Outcomes Classification. A cross-sectional study conducted in a university hospital in Natal - Rio Grande do Norte. The sample consisted of 50 participants, selected through consecutive sampling. Data collection occurred through a interview and physical examination form and a operational definitions tool for indicators of the nursing Tissue Integrity outcome directed to patients with venous ulcer, applied from February to June 2012. Data analysis was done by descriptive statistics and nonparametric tests (Spearman, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests). The project was approved by the Research Ethics Committee with protocol 608/11 and Presentation Certificate to Ethical Consideration No. 0038.0.294.000-11. The results were presented using three scientific articles derivatives of research. It was found that the indicators show moderate impairment, light and not impaired, as the median. The respondents had an average of 59.72 years, 66% female, 50% were retired, 60% with a partner, 44% had arterial hypertension, 26% allergies, 20% diabetes mellitus, 96% were sedentary, 14% drank alcohol and 6% were smokers. There was a statistically significant correlation of low intensity between age and hydration (p=0.032; rs=-0.304) and skin desquamation (p=0.026; rs=-0.316), family income and necrosis (p=0.012; rs=-0.353); Ankle Brachial Index and tissue perfusion (p=0,044; rs=-0,329); Diabetes Mellitus and texture (p=0.015) and tissue perfusion (p=0.026); allergy and texture (p=0.034), physical activity and hydration (p=0.034), smoking and thickness (p=0.018), and alcohol consumption and exudate (p=0.045). We conclude that the patients had light to moderate impairment, indicating a good state of health on the integrity of the skin of the lower limbs, according to the indicators of the outcome of tissue integrity Classification Nursing Outcomes valued in the present study. It is believed that the evaluation of impairment tissue using a self-nursing system and its relation with socioeconomic, clinical and risk factors are unique tools in the care planning and in the wound healing

Vivências compartilhadas de filhos separados pela hanseníase no RN a luz da história oral de vida

Several epidemics marked the lives of individuals and communities in all historical periods, and a prime example is leprosy, infectious disease marked by stigma, prejudice and social exclusion. In the past, the compulsory isolation of patients with leprosy caused serious social and psychological problems, resulting in the separation and the partial or total disruption of the family relationship. Children deprived of this living, removed often inhumanely, were kept and bred in preventoriums / educational establishments. This study aimed to: rescue the oral history of life of the children of leprosy patients that were built in preventorium Osvaldo Cruz, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte; develop a contextual analysis about these children; know the life trajectory of children of leprosy patients institutionalized in preventoriums / educational establishments; produce a documentary on the history of life of children of parents separated by leprosy; forming MORHAN of Rio Grande do Norte state; and implement the I Meeting of MORHAN of Rio Grande do Norte state. This is an exploratory and descriptive study, with a qualitative approach, approved by the ERC No. 024/024/2012 Liga Norteriograndense Contra o Câncer. We used the contributions of the method and technique of oral history of life as methodological reference. We interviewed 10 individuals egress from preventorium Osvaldo Cruz in Natal/RN, sons of former patients proven to be residents in the city, of both sexes, older than 18, with cognitive, intellectual and emotional conditions preserved. The analysis of the histories obtained from collaborators was performed in the light of Thematic Content Analysis. The results and discussions are presented through two articles which meet the proposed objectives. The first, called Contextual Analysis on the children of leprosy patients in preventoriums aimed to record the phenomenon of children of leprosy patients in preventorium through four contextual levels, which identified the need to broaden the debate on public policy in the field of leprosy as a way to enable more effective measures to propagate in the search for harm reduction and direct consequences resulting from stigma and marginalization around patients and their healthy children, egress from preventoriums. The second, Leprosy and the denial of history: the story of separated children , aimed to know the life trajectory of children of leprosy patients who were institutionalized in preventoriums / educational establishments. In this article, we discuss the research question through the establishment of three main themes: 1. Losses and damages: disintegration and reintegration into the family and denied childhood; 2. Unforgettable: remarkable things you do not forget; and 3. Expectancy in living new situations: in search of other paths and destinations. These thematic axis highlighted the negative implications for the lives of the subjects, arising from the separation of their parents, leprosy patients at the time of compulsory isolation; however, has also been shown that this separation was not decisive in their life histories, once they have succeeded in providing a new sense of these experiences and lead their lives with dignity and fortitude. It was concluded that these children demonstrated resilience as form of defense and fighting stigma and prejudice, being able to reinvent themselves and build new paths and destinations

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