This study analyzed differences between men and women regarding the use of psychotropic drugs and associated factors in a population of adults and seniors in the city of Campinas, Brazil. A population-based, cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the ISACamp 2014/2015 health survey in the city of Campinas. The sample was composed of 1999 individuals aged 20 years or older. For each sex, prevalence rates and prevalence ratios were estimated for the use of psychotropic drugs according to demographic characteristics, socioeconomic characteristics, health problems, degree of limitation and type of emotional/mental problem. The most used classes of medications were also determined. The prevalence of the use of psychotropic drugs was 11.7% (7.3% among men and 15.8% among women). The most common therapeutic classes were antidepressants (38.2%) and benzodiazepines (24.0%). The frequency of antidepressant use was higher among women (44.3%) than men (25.5%). Regarding associated factors, reports of emotional/mental problems were associated with the greater use of this type of drug in both sexes. Among the men, white skin color, a lack of an occupational activity, a greater number of complaints of health problems and the occurrence of insomnia were associated with the use psychotropic drugs. Among the women, a significant increase in the use of these drugs was found with the increase in age and higher prevalence rates were found among those with a higher level of schooling, those with a greater number of diagnosed chronic diseases and those with a common mental disorder. The present results confirm the greater use of psychotropic agents, especially antidepressants, in the female sex and reveal that the pattern of associated factors differs between sexes. It is therefore necessary to understand the peculiarities of each sex that exert an influence on the perception of health problems and the desire to seek care, which, in turn, affect the use of psychotropic agents.

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Objective: To estimate the prevalence of use of drugs to treat gastrointestinal disorders, according to demographic, socioeconomic, and health characteristics of the Brazilian population. Methods: This is a population-based survey that interviewed individuals residing in cities of the five regions in Brazil. The study sample was composed of 32,348 individuals aged 20 or more years. The profile of use of drugs for gastrointestinal disorders was evaluated considering the variables sex, age, healthcare plan, region, and number of chronic diseases. We also analyzed the frequency of individuals who declared using other drugs, besides those already employed for treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. Additionally, the estimated frequencies of the drug classes used were determined. Results: The prevalence of use of drugs for gastrointestinal disorders in Brazil was 6.9% (95% confidence interval − 6.4-7.6), higher in females, among persons aged over 60 years, in those who had a private healthcare insurance, and presented with two or more chronic diseases. It was noted that 42.9% of the aged who used drugs for gastrointestinal disorders were also on polypharmacy. As to the classes of drugs, 82% corresponded to drugs for the food tract and metabolism, particularly proton pumps inhibitors. Conclusion: The use of drugs for treatment of gastrointestinal disorders was significant among women and elderly. In this age group, consumption may be linked to gastric protection due to polypharmacy. This study is an unprecedented opportunity to observe the self-reported consumption profile of these drugs in Brazil and, therefore, could subsidize strategies to promote their rational use.

Resumo O objetivo do estudo foi investigar a existência de desigualdades raciais na prevalência de problemas emocionais, na busca por serviços de saúde e no uso de psicotrópicos. Trata-se de um estudo transversal de base populacional que utilizou dados do inquérito de saúde de Campinas (ISACamp) em 2014/15. Analisou-se 1.953 indivíduos com 20 anos ou mais de idade. Foram estimadas prevalências de transtorno mental comum (TMC), de relato de problemas emocionais, de insônia, de busca e uso de serviço de saúde e de uso de psicotrópicos segundo cor da pele autorreferida, tendo como categorias: brancos e pretos/pardos. Razões de prevalência foram estimadas com uso de regressão múltipla de “Poisson”. A prevalência de TMC foi mais elevada nos pretos/pardos em comparação aos brancos, mas não houve diferença entre eles quanto ao relato de problemas emocionais e de insônia. Verificou-se que os brancos procuraram mais os serviços de saúde por causa do problema emocional. O uso de psicotrópicos também foi superior nos brancos. Os resultados revelaram a presença de desigualdades raciais na presença de TMC, na procura de serviços de saúde e no uso de psicotrópicos, ressaltando a necessidade de ações que identifiquem e superem as barreiras que dificultam o acesso aos cuidados de saúde mental pelos diferentes segmentos raciais.

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