Psychoactive substances and mental health in nursing professionals of the Family Health Strategy program (Estratégia Saúde da Família)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigatethe association between the use of psychoactive substances and depression, stress, and anxiety among nursing professionals of the Family Health Strategy program (ESF - Estratégia Saúde da Família) teams. A cross-sectional study was carried out with 112 participants. Instruments for screening the abuse of alcohol and other drugs were used, as well as a scale that evaluates symptoms of depression, stress, and anxiety. The results showed that 44.6% of the interviewed professionals, most of whom were male, consumed alcohol in a binge-drinkingpattern; 16.2% showed symptoms of depression; 15.2% showed symptoms of stress and 23.2% showed symptoms of anxiety. Binge drinking was associated with depression (p =,035). Positive correlations were found between depression, stress and anxiety and negative correlations were found between stress, age and working time. The abusive use of alcohol and the symptoms of mental disorders are correlated and need to be better investigated among the nursing professionals of the ESF program.