Conhecimento dos agentes comunitários de saúde de um município baiano sobre plantas medicinais

摘要

The aims was to characterize the knowledge of Community Health Agents (ACS) on medicinal plants, through a quantitative-descriptive research carried out in six Family Health Units, located in a neighborhood of a municipality in Bahia. A questionnaire was used as a data collection instrument and was answered by 41 of the 53 ACS. This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee. For the majority of the questions elaborated on medicinal plants the participants had knowledge considered satisfactory, because of the six questions presented four had above 70% of correct answers. Despite this, it was verified that the knowledge of community agents about medicinal plants is based on popular knowledge, demonstrating the need for permanent health education to qualify them on the subject. The realization of this study was articulated to university extension activities in order to minimize the knowledge gaps that were highlighted in the research.