Prevalence of drug use in a portuguese urban population:an emphasis on diabetes

Abstract

We are assisting to an increasing medicines use all over our societies. This has major implications for both individuals and populations and for efficient health resources utilization, as much of that use may be unnecessary, inappropriate or irrational. Descriptive studies are needed to understand which drugs are being used and by whom, when and how they are used. Discrepancies between actual use and national or international prescription guidelines exist. The knowledge and the understanding of the context of drug use situation are crucial to develop and evaluate the impact of further interventions This study aims to identify factors that contribute to the knowledge of how medicines are being used by individuals, with a specially emphasis on diabetes disorder therapeutic management. These should be accomplished by means of the following specific objectives: - To determine the prevalence of drug use in a Portuguese urban population, identify its determinants and the main therapeutic groups involved Manuscript 1 - To determine de prevalence of reported diabetes and self-reported drug use, and to compare it with existent guidelines Manuscript 2 43