The registration of the usage of medicinal plants on e-SUS program: a case study in a city in the upper Jequitinhonha Valley

Abstract

The e-SUS is a software used to computerize the health work process in Brazil. Among the population registration data is the record about the use of medicinal plants in Primary Health Care (AB). Thus, our objective was to analyze the records of the e-SUS in a Basic Health Unit (UBS) in the Jequitinhonha Valley and conduct a survey with individuals from the same UBS, where they were asked about the use of medicinal plants. The hypothesis of the study is that although the registration is relevant, the software data underestimate the reality about medicinal plants use. In a survey with 77 users of an UBS randomly selected, 93.5% reported using medicinal plants, while in e-SUS reports only 0.8% of the individuals from the same UBS use medicinal plants. Therefore, the recorded data cannot yet be used to develop medicinal plant policies in the AB. Reliable record of medicinal plant use in e-SUS is still a challenge. It is important to make professionals aware of the benefits of correctly completing the forms for the development of public policies that include what is recommended by the National Medicinal Plants Policy in order to recognize, guide and value the use of medicinal plants.