SUBSÍDIOS PARA IMPLANTAÇÃO DO PROGRAMA DE FITOTERAPIA NO MUNICÍPIO DE IMPERATRIZ, ESTADO DO MARANHÃO

Abstract

The indication of phytotherapy as an alternative health practice is a recommendation by the World Health Organization (WHO) and a worldwide practice. In many Brazilian states and cities this kind of therapeutic alternative is available in basic health services, which has favorably indicated the amplification of the medicare prescription drug coverage. This work aims to expose information to implement a phytotherapic project in the basic health assistance web in the district of Imperatriz, state of Maranhão. Between June and August, 2009, an ethnopharmacologic research was made in 29 basic health units of the family health program, in which 624 over eighteen years users were interviewed who were at the health unit during the period of the research and all agreed on participating. It was also collected information from 69 health professionals, among medical doctors, nurses and pharmacologists. It was noticed that 602 (96,5%) out of 624 interviewed users agreed on the inclusion of phytotherapic drugs in the roll of basic medications available by the city and 502 (80,45%) of them use medicinal plants as alternative therapy. One perturbing fact is that 433 (86,3%) of the interviewed users informed that they use medicinal plants without any restriction relating to the preparation, therapeutic measures and intermission between the dosages relying on the belief that there is no harm from medicinal plants. There is accordance among the health professionals relating to the implementation of the project and 64 (92,7%) showed interest in participating on specialization or capabilities courses in the field. In the city of Imperatriz the implement of the project is possible, and it disposes of a good acceptance among users and health professionals.