Predisposing factors for the consumption of psychoactive substances in nursing

Abstract

Objective: To propose strategies that relate the nursing work environment to predisposing factors for the consumption of psychoactive substances. Methods: This is an action-research, with a quantitative approach, in which 28 nursing professionals of both sexes, who work in an Intensive Care Unit in Porto Velho, Rondônia, participated. To perform data collection, two validated questionnaires were used, the Brazilian Nursing Work Index-Revised, whose objective is to measure the characteristics of the work environment favorable to professional practice; and ASSIST, which aims to detect risky use of various psychoactive substances. Data were processed and tabulated in an electronic spreadsheet in the Microsoft Office Excel program. Results: There was a predominance of females in the use of alcohol (81%); As for the work environment, the nursing team considered it to have a favorable environment for professional practice, where the NWI-R subscales were below 2.5 points. Conclusion: It is concluded that some factors within the work environment predispose to the use of psychoactive drugs. It is necessary to carry out actions aimed at improving workers' health in their work environment and that directly reflect on nursing care.