OBJETIVO: Caracterizar el consumo de ácido fólico (AF) y otros micronutrientes en forma de medicamentos en un grupo de mujeres gestantes colombianas. MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional descriptivo. Se obtuvo información por medio de entrevistas a gestantes y de sus registros de historia clínica de control prenatal y/o atención del parto en cuatro ciudades de Colombia. La muestra fue de 1 637 mujeres atendidas en 15 instituciones. RESULTADOS: A 1 315 gestantes (80,3%) les recomendaron consumir AF, con prescripción realizada por médico al 84% de ellas; 90,3% adhirieron al tratamiento. A 85,6% el AF les fue suministrado por la empresa aseguradora de salud, y 10,7% lo compró de su bolsillo. La prescripción fue pertinente en 0,2% de las mujeres. Su consumo fue totalmente oportuno en 0,2% y totalmente inoportuno en 41,9% de las gestantes. A 1 192 mujeres (72,8%) les recomendaron otros micronutrientes; a 77,6% de ellas se los recomendó el médico, y 88,7% adhirieron al tratamiento. CONCLUSIONES: Se recomienda y se consume AF y otros micronutrientes de manera inadecuada, sin evaluar las necesidades individuales de las mujeres gestantes. Se invita a reflexionar sobre la utilidad de los programas que promueven el consumo masivo de micronutrientes en forma de medicamento durante el embarazo; los programas parecen desconocer las causas fundamentales de los problemas nutricionales que aquejan a la población.(AU)OBJECTIVE: To characterize the intake of folic acid (FA) and other micronutrients in medicinal form in a group of pregnant women in Colombia. METHODS: Descriptive observational study. Information was obtained from interviews of pregnant women and from the clinical records of their prenatal check-ups and/or delivery in four cities in Colombia. The sample consisted of 1 637 women seen in 15 institutions. RESULTS: A total of 1 315 pregnant women (80.3%) were advised to take FA, and 84% received a prescription, 90.3% of whom adhered to the treatment. FA was provided to 85.6% of them by their health insurance company and 10.7% purchased it themselves. The prescription was appropriate for 0.2% of the women; its use was entirely appropriate for 0.2% of the pregnant women and totally inappropriate for 41.9%. Other micronutrients were recommended to 1 192 women (72.8%), 77.6% of whom received the advice from their physician, with 88.7% adhering to the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: FA and other micronutrients are inappropriately recommended to pregnant women and taken without assessing their individual needs. The usefulness of programs that promote mass consumption of micronutrients in medicinal form during pregnancy should be reexamined. These programs seem not to recognize the fundamental causes of the population's nutritional problems.(AU)

Rev Panam Salud Publica;34(2),ago. 2013

Utilización de medicamentos; Prescripciones de Medicamentos; Prescripción Inadecuada; Medicamentos a base de vitaminas y minerales; Acido Fólico; Salud Materno-Infantil; Sociología médica; Colombia; Drug Utilization; Drug Prescriptions; Inappropriate Prescribing; Drugs on Basis of Vitamins and Minerals; Folic Acid; Maternal and Child Health; Sociology, medical; Colombia; Ácido Fólico; Micronutrientes; Gravidez; Cuidado Pré-Natal; Anemia; Colômbia; Aconselhamento; Suplementos Dietéticos; Prescrições de Medicamentos; Ácido Fólico; Prescrição Inadequada; Medicina Individualizada; Seguro de Serviços Farmacêuticos; Desnutrição; Desnutrição; Adesão à Medicação; Micronutrientes; Medicamentos sem Prescrição; Condutas na Prática dos Médicos; Complicações na Gravidez; Complicações na Gravidez; Automedicação; Fatores Socioeconômicos; Magreza

Holguín-Hernández, Esperanza,Orozco-Díaz, José G. (2013) Administración de ácido fólico y otros micronutrientes en mujeres embarazadas de Colombia. Rev Panam Salud Publica;34(2) 99-106,ago. 2013. Retrieved from http://www.scielosp.org/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1020-49892013000800004