Self-medication profile in a city in South Brazil

Authors

  • Jorge F. Vilarino Universidade Federal de Santa Maria
  • Iberê C. Soares Universidade Federal de Santa Maria
  • Cristiane M. da Silveira Universidade Federal de Santa Maria
  • Ana Paula P. Rödel Universidade Federal de Santa Maria
  • Rodrigo Bortoli Universidade Federal de Santa Maria
  • Rafael R. Lemos Universidade Federal de Santa Maria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89101998000100006

Keywords:

Self-medication, Drug utilization, Prevalence

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The characterization of drug users, especially as regards self-medication and the determination of its prevalence in the population studied. MATERIAL AND METHOD: About 413 people that had used drugs in the previous month were interviewed. RESULTS: From the interviewed, 69.9% used medicines and of those 76.1% were self medicated. Headache (28.8%) was the main complaint among the self-medicated group. Acetilsalicilic acid was the most frequently used medicine (25.4%). As regards the drugs utilized, 51.2% of the users had received a recommendation from a third party and 51.7% used old prescriptions, given in previous consultations. CONCLUSION: Age, schooling and absence of periodic medical consultation were significant statistical factors in self-medication.

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Published

1998-02-01

Issue

Vol. 32 No. 1 (1998)

Section

Original Articles

How to Cite

Vilarino, J. F., Soares, I. C., Silveira, C. M. da, Rödel, A. P. P., Bortoli, R., & Lemos, R. R. (1998). Self-medication profile in a city in South Brazil . Revista De Saúde Pública, 32(1), 43-49. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89101998000100006