Prescribed medication use among elementary teachers: Prevalence and associated factors

Abstract The aims of the study were to assess the prevalence and analyze the associated factors of medication use among teachers. A cross-sectional study was carried out, involving 530 teachers from Londrina city, Paraná, Brazil. The dependent variable was prescribed medication use and the independent variables were sociodemographic, work-related, lifestyle, health disorders, and chronic diseases, all assessed through questionnaires. Prevalence of medication use was 59.1%. Chronic disease was associated with all medications analyzed. Variables positively associated with medication use according to health disorder type were: Cardiometabolic (Length of employment, overweight, not current tobacco use, and TV viewing); Psychological (Length of employment, common mental disorders, current tobacco use, and disability); Orthopedic (Length of employment, health insurance, overweight, musculoskeletal pain, low job support, and disability); Respiratory (TV viewing and problems related to dust or chalk powder); and Gastrointestinal (common mental disorders and physical activity [negative association]). Support for access, the appropriate use of medicines, and a reduction in medication use should consider work-related, lifestyle, and health disorders, as well as chronic diseases.