Understanding the use of psychotropic drugs among Nursing students: a Quaternary Prevention perspective
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.1806-6976.smad.2025.215052Keywords:
Quaternary Prevention, Psychotropic Drugs, Nursing Students, NursingAbstract
Objective: to understand the perception of undergraduate Nursing students and the reasons that lead to the use of psychotropic drugs, from the perspective of Quaternary Prevention. Methodology: descriptive-exploratory qualitative research, carried out with 15 undergraduate Nursing students. The information was obtained through a questionnaire and focus groups, and interpreted based on Thematic Analysis. Results: of the participants, eight university students do not use medication and seven are users. Four categories emerged: 1) Factors that trigger psychological distress in university students; 2) Feelings and weaknesses of university students regarding the use of psychotropic drugs; 3) Access to psychotropic drugs; and 4) Practices that contribute to minimizing the use of psychotropic drugs. Conclusion: from the perspective of Quaternary Prevention, the sometimes exaggerated or unnecessary use of psychotropic drugs results in the risk of overmedicalization and illness. The nurse needs to be aware and become an agent promoting Quaternary Prevention.
Downloads
References
Jamoulle M, Roland M, Bae JM, Heleno B, Visentin G, Gusso GDF, et al. Ethical, pedagogical, socio-political and anthropological implications of quaternary prevention. Rev Bras Med Fam Comunidade. 2018;13(40):1-14. https://doi.org/10.5712/rbmfc13(40)1860
Souza AL, Vendruscolo C, Zocche DAA, Ascari RA, Schopf K, Oliveira BP. Prevenção quaternária: percepções, possibilidades e desafios na atenção primária à saúde. Enferm Brasil. 2021;20(6):764-82. https://doi.org/10.33233/eb.v20i6.4815
Pires PLS, Soares GT, Brito IE, Lima A, Junqueira MAB, Pillon SC. Correlation of the use of psychoactive substances with signs of anxiety, depression, and stress in Nursing students. Rev Aten Saude. 2019;17(61):38-44. https://doi.org/10.13037/ras.vol17n61.6099
Tovani JBE, Santi LJ, Trindade EV. Use of psychotropic drugs by students from the health area: a comparative and qualitative analysis. Rev Bras Educ Med. 2021;45(3):e175. https://doi.org/10.1590/1981-5271v45.3-20200485
Tavares TR, Coimbra MBP, Oliveira CKR, Bittencourt BF, Lemos PL, Lisboa HCF. Evaluation of the use of psychopharmaceuticals by university students. Rev Cien Med Biol. 2021;20(4):560-7. https://doi.org/10.9771/cmbio.v20i4.43820
Kantorski LP, Brum NA, Menezes ES, Silva PS, Santos CG, Almeida MD, et al. Psychotropics: use by college students before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. J Nurs Health. 2022;12(3). https://doi.org/10.15210/jonah.v12i3.3576
Lelis KCG, Brito RVNE, Pinho S, Pinho L. Sintomas de depressão, ansiedade e uso de medicamentos em universitários. Rev Port Enferm Saude Mental. 2020;23(1):9-14. https://doi.org/10.19131/rpesm.0267
Minayo MCS. O desafio do conhecimento: pesquisa qualitativa em saúde. 14. ed. São Paulo: Hucitec; 2014.
Silveira GEL, Viana LG, Sena MM, Alencar MMSC, Soares PRAL, Aquino PS, et al. Anxiety and depression symptoms in the academic environment: a cross-sectional study. Acta Paul Enferm. 2022;35:eAPE00976. https://doi.org/10.37689/acta-ape/2022AO009766
Sousa BOP, Souza ALT, Souza J, Santos SA, Santos MA, Pillon SC. Nursing students: medication use, psychoactive substances and health conditions. Rev Bras Enferm. 2020;73(Suppl 1). https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2019-0003
Gotardo AL, Silva CM, Madeira HS, de Peder LD. The use of psychotropic drugs by students at a university center in Cascavel, Paraná. SaBios Rev Saude e Biol. 2022 Jul 26;17(1):1-10. https://doi.org/10.54372/sb.2022.v17.3225
Coelho LS, Tony ACC, Laguardia GCA, Santos KB, Friedrich DBC, Cavalcante RB, et al. Are symptoms of depression and anxiety in nursing students associated with their sociodemographic characteristics? Rev Bras Enferm. 2021;74(suppl 3):e20200503. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2020-0503
Wilkon NWV, Rufato FD, Silva WR. Psychotropic drugs use in young university students. Res Soc Dev. 2021;10(17):e79101724472. https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v10i17.24472
Santos CM Junior, Souza JI, Machado KV, Ferraz LD, Rocha MP. Zolpidem: increase in its use associated with the COVID-19 pandemic scenario. Braz J Implantol Health Sci. 2023;5(3):955-82. https://doi.org/10.36557/2674-8169.2023v5n3p955-982
Meiners MMMA, Barbosa BAS, Santana MGL, Gerlack LF, Galato D. Perceptions and use of methylphenidate among health students in Ceilândia, DF, Brazil. Interface (Botucatu). 2022;26:e210619. https://doi.org/10.1590/Interface.210619
Paulino BLP, Yoem RHC. Integrative practices in the treatment of anxiety. Rev PubSaude. 2022;10:a353. https://doi.org/10.31533/pubsaude10.a353
Vendruscolo C, Tesser CD, Pires DEP, Peres AM, Fonseca GS, Stipp MAC. A prevenção quaternária e a interprofissionalidade na atenção primária à saúde. In: Vendruscolo C, Tesser CD, Adamy EK, organizators. Prevenção Quaternária: proposições para a educação e prática interprofissional na Atenção Primária à Saúde.1 ed. Porto Alegre, Moriá Editora; 2021. p. 31-44.
Tesser CD, Norman AH. Quaternary prevention and medicalisation: inseparable concepts. Interface (Botucatu). 2021;25(1):e210101. https://doi.org/10.1590/interface.210101
Silva CB, Metelski FK, Ledra FF, Ferreira GE, Trindade LL, Rodrigues OCC. Prevenção Quaternária e a gestão da clínica na Atenção Primária à Saúde. In: Vendruscolo C, Tesser CD, Adamy EK, organizators. Prevenção Quaternária: proposições para a educação e prática interprofissional na Atenção Primária à Saúde.1 ed. Porto Alegre, Moriá Editora; 2021. p. 189-204.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 SMAD Revista Eletrônica Saúde Mental Álcool e Drogas (Edição em Português)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
