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Revista Cubana de Salud Pública

Print version ISSN 0864-3466On-line version ISSN 1561-3127

Abstract

ALTAMIRANO ORELLANA, Valeria et al. Self-medication in students from a university dorm in Chillán, Chile. Rev Cubana Salud Pública [online]. 2019, vol.45, n.1, e1189. ISSN 0864-3466.

Introduction:

Self-medication is a health problem, especially in students who live in university residences.

Objective:

To characterize self- medication in students from a university dorm in the city of Chillán, Chile.

Methods:

Cross-sectional, descriptive study. The sample was non- probabilistic and it was formed by 102 students that represented the 68 % of the sample group. In order to evaluate self- medication and its characteristics, a tool was created based on the literature, which was validated by experts and a pilot test.

Results:

There was a self-medication’s prevalence of 81,2 %. The main causes for doing it have to do with that they do not consider necessary to consult a doctor (46 %); if the symptomatology persists, 56 % of them go to the doctor. The acquisition of medicines comes mainly from pharmacies (63 %) and the sources of behavior’s promotion are led by relatives (51%) and friends (47,6 %). The more frequent symptoms reported were: headaches, flu and inflammation, which were preferably treated by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The 80 % considered that self- medication is a risky practice; nevertheless, 64 % have sometimes recommended a medicine and 46 % of them have a medicine’s stock at home.

Conclusions:

Self- medication establishes a way of self-care that should be focused jointly by all participating entities to minimize the potential associated risks.

Keywords : self-medication; self-care; medicines.

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