Analysis of nosologies and medicines used by the applicants of higher medical education within the framework of self-treatment

Abstract

Aim. To analyze nosologies and medicines used in self-treatment by the applicants of higher medical education. The research objectives were as follows: to determine which medicines were taken by the respondents with acute respiratory viral infections (ARI); to analyze the drug compliance, in particular when taking antibiotics, by the respondents; to study the issues of the use of analgesics, enzymatic drugs, biologically active additives (BAAs); to find out the list of medications taken by the questioned persons during the last month; to analyze diseases when the respondents take drugs constantly; to identify the factors that frightened the respondents in pharmacotherapy; to study the effect of the drug intake on the quality of life of the population. Materials and methods. The research was performed according to the results of the sociological study involving 400 applicants of education at the pre- and postgraduate levels at the Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University (LNMU). The primary scientific material obtained through questionnaires was analyzed using statistical, structural and logical methods taking into account the principles of systematization. The calculation of relative values and their errors was carried out in the statistical analysis of the data obtained. The following methods were used: system analysis, sociological survey, statistical, analytical and comparative. Results . The majority of the respondents (56.50 ± 2.48) % systematically takes analgesics, mainly for headache. However, only (4.75 ± 1.06) % the questioned persons always take enzymatic drugs when feeling heaviness in the stomach. The vast majority of the respondents (79.25 ± 2.03) % has never administered BAAs. It was found that the respondents took medicines from the groups of non-narcotic analgesics, vitamins and antispasmodic remedies within the last month. The most frequent reasons why the respondents take medicines regularly are infectious and gastrointestinal diseases. Extremely rarely the respondents take medicines constantly in diseases of the musculoskeletal system and eyes. In (29.75 ± 2.29) % there are cases of combination of alcohol and drugs. The side effects and high costs of medicines are the most often the factors causing concern of the respondents regarding pharmacotherapy. Three times fewer re spondents indicate the absence of drugs in pharmacies; the lack of knowledge of the mechanism of action and interaction with other medicines. In the overwhelming majority (75.50 ± 2.15 %) medicines affected the quality of life by improving health and the working capacity. However, every 7th respondent had side effects of medicines. Conclusions. In our opinion, the results obtained should serve as the basis for developing a comprehensive model of the program of prevention of negative consequences of self-treatment, first of all, among young people.