Occupational Factors and Psychotropic Drugs Consumption in Health Workers from Psychosocial Care Centers

Abstract

Introduction: The work environment and its circumstances, especially in professions with a high stress load, are factors for workers’ vulnerability regarding the use of psychoactive substances. In this respect, unhealthy work routines put health professionals at risk in terms of physical and mental stability.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of occupational factors associated with the consumption of psychotropic drugs by health professionals in psychosocial care centers.

Methods: Analytical and cross-sectional study carried out, from February to June 2019, in seven units at centers of a capital city of northeastern Brazil. The 161 active health workers participated in the research. The information was collected using the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) and the questionnaire on sociodemographic, occupational and health-related conditions, as well as on psychotropic drugs consumption. For the descriptive statistical analysis, the data were entered into Microsoft Excel 2016, and then exported to the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences program (23.0).

Results: In the analysis of the motivations for the use and/or overuse of psychotropic drugs, recurrence of occupational stressors was observed: working conditions (5.80%), job dissatisfaction (2.90%), relationship difficulties (1.40%) and increased productivity (1.60%).

Conclusions: The prevalence of unhealthy and stressing conditions among the factors that influence psychotropic drugs consumption by health professionals highlights the vulnerability of these workers regarding daily working conditions.