Avaliação do armazenamento de medicamentos e produtos saneantes em domicílios no município de Itacoatiara/AM

Abstract

Medications and sanitizing products are widely distributed in households, forming home medicine cabinets and cleaning supplies storage, whose inadequate maintenance may pose health risks. This study aimed to evaluate the storage practices of medications and sanitizing products in households in Itacoatiara, Amazonas. After submission to and approval by the ethics committee, an online questionnaire was disseminated. The study included the participation of 194 residents of Itacoatiara/AM. The results showed a predominance of female participants (72.2%). Most participants were between 18 and 24 years old (34%), indicating a predominance of young adults. It was observed that 53% of participating families had children. The most common medications found in households were cold medicines (80%), anti-inflammatory drugs (69.6%), and analgesics (62%). The analyzed results showed that the main reasons for storing medications at home were: having them available for emergencies; continuous use for chronic conditions; and accumulation of leftovers from previous treatments. Only 5% of participants reported witnessing cases of intoxication or domestic accidents involving medications, and 58% would not know how to act in such situations. Regarding the presence of sanitizing products, 95.9% stated they had these items at home. As for storage locations, 35% kept sanitizing products in the laundry area and 32.4% in the kitchen. Although 77.8% of participants reported being aware of the risks associated with improper storage, 51% did not know how to respond in cases of intoxication. It is concluded that medications and sanitizing products are present in most households in Itacoatiara/AM, highlighting the importance of educational actions aimed at the population, addressing both safe storage and appropriate conduct in cases of intoxication.