Abstract
Introduction
The use of medicines among Brazilian workers in Japan has not been documented. This study examines the preferences and use of medicines among Brazilian workers of Japanese origin in Japan.
Methods
A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2011 in a community in Nagoya, where many Brazilian workers lived. Questionnaires were distributed to 206 Brazilian households, and asked about preferences and use of Japanese or Brazilian medicines. Associations with socioeconomic factors were analyzed using Fisher's exact test.
Results
The response rate was 36% (74 households). Of these, 66% had lived in Japan for over 10 years, and 88% held health insurance. Over 80% reported a preference for Japanese medicines. However, Brazilian medicines were used in more than 40% of the households. Employed Brazilians tend to use Brazilian medicines compared to the unemployed. Most respondents answered that Brazilian medicines were more effective, but were more expensive and produced worse side effect than Japanese medicines.
Households with children showed a preference for Japanese medicines for children's illnesses. However, more Brazilian medicines were used when the length of household's stay in Japan was less than 10 years, and when the respondent's perceived listening ability of Japanese language was poor.
Conclusion
Almost all respondents were using the medicines they preferred, suggesting that access to medicine was generally good in the community. However, 40% of respondents used Brazilian medicines, despite their long stay in Japan, their health insurance status, and their recognition of Japanese medicines as inexpensive and safe. This might be explained by familiarity with Brazilian medicines, or perception of their effectiveness.
Continuous self-administration of medicines without consultation has potential harm to the health. This study also suggests the importance of arranging social environments such as facilitating the taking of sick leaves, so that immigrant workers can secure their access to health services.
