Sources of access and medication use in rural area of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, in 2016: cross-sectional population-based study

Abstract

Objective. To analyze the prevalence of medication use, sources of access, and associated factors among rural residents in Pelotas, RS, Brazil. Methods. Cross-sectional study with adults ≥18 years, in 2016. Participants reported on the use and sources of access to medication used in the month prior to the interview. Poisson regression was used. Results. Among the 1,519 respondents, 54.7% (95%CI 48.7;60.5) used some medication and 3.3% (95%CI 2.4;4.5) didn’t use some necessary medication. Higher prevalence of use occurred in: women (PR=1.23 – 95%CI 1.12;1.34), the elderly (PR=2.36 – 95%CI 2.05;2.73), worse self-perception of health (PR=1.29 – 95%CI 1.14;1.46) and higher number of diseases (PR=2.37 – 95%CI 2.03;2.77). A total of 14.0% (95%CI 11.2;17.4) obtained medications exclusively from Health System and the prevalence was higher among those who self-declared non-white and from lower economic classes. Conclusion. A small portion indicated that they didn’t use necessary medications. Free obtaining was higher in groups with lower income.