The prevalence and characterization of self-medication for obtaining pain relief among undergraduate nursing students

Authors

  • Layz Alves Ferreira Souza Universidade Federal de Goiás; Faculdade de Enfermagem
  • Camila Damázio da Silva Centro de Atenção Integral à Saúde de Campinas
  • Gisely Carvalho Ferraz Centro de Atenção Integral à Saúde de Campinas
  • Fátima Aparecida Emm Faleiros Sousa Universidade de São Paulo; Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto
  • Lílian Varanda Pereira Universidade de São Paulo; Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-11692011000200004

Keywords:

Pain, Self Medication, Students, Nursing

Abstract

This study investigates the prevalence of self-medication among undergraduate nursing students seeking to relieve pain and characterizes the pain and relief obtained through the used medication. This epidemiological and cross-sectional study was carried out with 211 nursing students from a public university in Goiás, GO, Brazil. A numerical scale (0-10) measured pain intensity and relief. The prevalence of self-medication was 38.8%. The source and main determining factor of this practice were the student him/herself (54.1%) and lack of time to go to a doctor (50%), respectively. The most frequently used analgesic was dipyrone (59.8%) and pain relief was classified as good (Md=8.5;Max=10;Min=0). The prevalence of self-medication was higher than that observed in similar studies. Many students reported that relief obtained through self-medication was good, a fact that can delay the clarification of a diagnosis and its appropriate treatment.

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Published

2011-04-01

Issue

Vol. 19 No. 2 (2011)

Section

Original Articles

License

RLAE’s authorship concept is based on the substantial contribution by each of the individuals listed as authors, mainly in terms of conceiving and planning the research project, collecting or analyzing and interpreting data, writing and critical review. Indication of authors’ names under the article title is limited to six. If more, authors are listed on the online submission form under Acknowledgements. The possibility of including more than six authors will only be examined on multicenter studies, considering the explanations presented by the authors.
Including names of authors whose contribution does not fit into the above criteria cannot be justified. Those names can be included in the Acknowledgements section.
 Authors are fully responsible for the concepts disseminated in their manuscripts, which do not necessarily reflect the editors’ and editorial board’s opinion.

 

How to Cite

The prevalence and characterization of self-medication for obtaining pain relief among undergraduate nursing students . (2011). Revista Latino-Americana De Enfermagem, 19(2), 245-251. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-11692011000200004