Abstract

TAVARES, Noemia Urruth Leão et al. Use of medication for treatment of noncommunicable chronic diseases in Brazil: results from the National Health Survey, 2013. Epidemiol. Serv. Saúde [online]. 2015, vol.24, n.2, pp.315-323. ISSN 1679-4974.

OBJECTIVE: to describe the prevalence of medication use by the Brazilian population to treat chronic noncommunicable diseases, according to demographic factors. METHODS: this was a descriptive study using 2013 National Health Survey data. RESULTS: 81.4% (95%CI 80.1-82.7) of those with hypertension were taking medication, with higher use in the South (83.6%; 95%CI 80.8-86.4), women (84.6%; 95%CI 83.2-86.5) and in individuals aged over 75 (92.2%; 95%CI 89.7-94.6); 80.2% (95%CI 78.0-82.5) of those reporting diabetes and 52.0% (95%CI 49.1-54.9) reporting depression used medication, with higher use in the Southeast (84.6% and55.0%) for both diseases; 81.5% (95%CI 77.4-85.6) of patients reporting asthma used medication, there being no differences between the country's regions. CONCLUSIONS: the results indicate high use of medication to treat the chronic diseases investigated, which may indicate increased access to their treatment, notwithstanding some regional differences.

Keywords : Chronic Disease; Drug Utilization; Health Surveys; Epidemiology, Descriptive.

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