BREASTFEEDING WOMEN UNDER MEDICATION TREATMENT IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH NETWORK

Objective: To analyse the medications used by breastfeeding women treated in the public health network, and correlated actions. Methods: Cross-sectional, quantitative and descriptive study carried out with 100 breastfeeding women, recruited through non- probabilistic convenience sampling, at the Municipal Hospital of Duque de Caxias, RJ, in 2012. A questionnaire was applied containing the following variables: prescribed medications, unwanted effects in nursing infants, and professionals involved in guidance on the education. The data was analysed through descriptive statistics, based on absolute and relative frequencies. Results: It was found that 46% (n=46) of the breastfeeding women were aged 21 to 30 years, 54% (n=54) were primiparae, 52% (n=52) had complete fundamental level, and 72% (n=72) received prenatal care. It was verified that 78% (n=78) of the sample were receiving some type of medicine and, among these, a significant percentage of nonsteroidal analgesic/anti-inflammatory medication, with 61.54% (n=48) of the breastfeeding women. All the prescribed medicines were in the category of compatible use with breastfeeding. The incidence of some unwanted symptoms was evidenced in 19.2% (n=15) of the breastfeeding women. Among the women undergoing medication therapy, 76.92% (n=60) received guidance during treatment, 55% (n=33) by doctors and 45% (n=27) by nurses. In this research, 100% of the breastfeeding women were satisfied with the acquired knowledge. Conclusion: It was noted a high percentage of breastfeeding women in the sample taking medicines, all compatible with breastfeeding. It stands out the limited engagement of the multidisciplinary team in the orientations. Objetivo: Analisar os medicamentos das lactantes em tratamento na rede pública de saúde e as ações envolvidas. Métodos: Estudo transversal, quantitativo e descritivo realizado com 100 lactantes selecionadas através de amostragem não probabilística e por conveniência no Hospital Municipal de Duque de Caxias-RJ, no ano de 2012. Aplicou-se um questionário contendo as seguintes variáveis: informações sociodemográficas, medicamentos prescritos, efeitos indesejados nos lactentes, e profissionais envolvidos nas orientações quanto ao uso desses medicamentos. Analisaram-se os dados através da estatística descritiva, a partir de frequências absolutas e relativas. Resultados: Identificou-se que 46% (n=46) das lactantes tinham entre 21 e 30 anos, 54% (n=54) eram primíparas, 52% (n=52) tinham ensi