Prevention of cardiovascular disease in patients recovering from use of psychoactive substances

Objective: Assess the knowledge of people recovering from substance abuse, after performance of educational activities, about the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases. Methods: This was a quantitative study involving 36 patients receiving treatment in the detoxification unit of a public psychiatr...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Silvânia Maria Mendes Vasconcelos, Francisca Lígia de Medeiros Martins dos Santos, Thereza Maria Magalhães Moreira, Maria Tereza Viana Lima, Rita Neuma Dantas Cavalcante de Abreu, Adelaide Amorim Cavalcante Abreu, Gilson Holanda Almeida
Format: Article
Language:Portuguese
Published: Universidade de Fortaleza 2012-06-01
Series:Revista Brasileira em Promoção da Saúde
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Online Access:http://www.unifor.br/images/pdfs/rbps/2012.2sup_artigo01.pdf
Description
Summary:Objective: Assess the knowledge of people recovering from substance abuse, after performance of educational activities, about the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases. Methods: This was a quantitative study involving 36 patients receiving treatment in the detoxification unit of a public psychiatry hospital in the State of Ceará, Brazil. All subjects were consenting adults over the age of 18 years. A questionnaire was used before and after an educational activity that measured the level of knowledge and understanding of cardiovascular disease and related risk factors. Results: The results demonstrated that initially, 19 (52.8%) people confirmed that they were not aware of any cardiovascular disease but after the activity, this number dropped to 4 (11%). In addition, the reference to the risk factors for diseases of the circulatory system was evaluated, when it became evident that, before the educational activity, 22 (61%) did not know these factors, another 14 (39%) cited one or two, especially a diet rich in fat and the use of illegal drugs. After the activity only 3(8%) did not know and the other 33 (92%) were able to cite the use of legal drugs, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle. Conclusion: Educational intervention resulted in a significant change in participants´ knowledge of cardiovascular risk factors, which may help result in improvement in the lifestyle of patients, as well as their families.
ISSN:1806-1222
1806-1230