Resumo

LEON ESPINOSA, Orlando; RUIZ CALABUCH, Héctor  e  LEON ESPINOSA, Iris. Patient’s criteria on medicinal plants and phytochemical drugs in La Sierpe and in Sancti Spiritus Municipalities. Rev Cubana Plant Med [online]. 2007, vol.12, n.3. ISSN 1028-4796.

A cross-sectional and descriptive study in health areas of “Policlinico Centro” of Sancti Spiritus Municipality, and also in urban zone of health area of  La Sierpe Muncipality. We made a survey applied to a representative sample of patients of both localities to know different general features of surveyed persons, how much they know on medicinal plants and herbal drugs, its acceptance degree, origin of prescriptions used and its sale rate. We conclude that in surveyed persons there was a female predominance and relativately youngs, as well as medium schooling level in both municipalities, more evidente in La Sierpe. Also, it is verified presence of a high knowledge and acceptance of medicinal plants and herbal drugs to solve health problems, emphasizing an effectiveness similar to that of synthetic drugs in both localities, but slightly superior in La Sierpe. There wasn’t expiry date of phytochemical drugs in Drugstores, with a acceptable sell level, but medical prescription (what is the susitable) is scarce in provincial county seat, but no in La Sierpe, where values are appropriate. In spite of a favourable coincidente among study variable, it is noted better results in La Sierpe Municipality. It is recommended to proceed on teaching of general population on this subject to achieve a better and greatest use of phytochemical drugs but by medical prescription.

Palavras-chave : Patients; medicinal plants; herbal drugs.