Prevalence and factors associated with the consumption of psychoactive substances by health care workers

Abstract

Objective: to estimate prevalence and factors associated with the consumption of psychoactive substances among health care workers in hospitals. Method: cross-sectional study, with a sample of 289 health care professionals in a large hospital in Teresina, Piauí, Brazil. Results: 243 (84.1%) reported consumption of psychoactive substances; 124 (86.7%) of professionals who classed their level of satisfaction as moderate had double the chance (OR = 1.98 CI95% 1.02-3.85) of consuming psychoactive substances; 40 (93%) of those with low level of satisfaction showed a four times higher chance (OR = 4.05 CI95% 1.15-14.26) of consumption; and 72 (75.8%) of those who reported a “good” state of health before work had a 54% lower chance of consumption (OR= 0.46 CI95% 0.234-0919). Conclusion: consumption of psychoactive substances was associated with factors related to level of job satisfaction and perceived health status before work.