Abstract

MARTINEZ AVILA, Yalexy  and  GOMEZ LOPEZ, Liliana Lourdes. Social impact of an intervention strategy for the rational prescription of natural medicines implemented in Céspedes during 2011. Rev Cubana Plant Med [online]. 2013, vol.18, n.4, pp. 609-618. ISSN 1028-4796.

Introduction: phytomedicines are a valuable therapeutic option in the Cuban current context. Their rational use is the responsibility of the personnel prescribing them. Objective: evaluate the social impact of an intervention strategy for the rational use of natural medicine at Teniente Tomás Rojas polyclinic, municipality of Céspedes, province of Camagüey, in the period extending from January 2010 to June 2011. Methods: the study universe consisted of 72 professionals, of whom a sample of 20 was randomly chosen among those meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The strategy was structured into three stages: evaluation of the initial diagnosis, educational intervention, and evaluation of the impact on health care. Data were collected from surveys. Statistical analyses were performed with the Epistat program. Results: the initial diagnosis revealed 15, 55 and 30%, with scores of 4, 3 and 2, respectively. In the evaluation of the educational intervention, 70% obtained scores between 4 and 5, and 30% between 2 and 3. In the evaluation of the impact of the educational strategy upon health care, 100% of the professionals internalized the importance of the use of alternative medicine. There was a 66.7% increase in medical indications, and 75% acceptance by the population. Conclusions: the diagnosis conducted and the strategy implemented brought about positive changes in the prescription of natural medicines, as well as greater awareness and a more positive attitude on the part of professionals toward the rational use of natural medicine, resulting in a favorable social impact.

Keywords : phytotherapy; social impact; rational prescription.

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