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

Layz Alves Ferreira Souza,Fátima Aparecida Emm Faleiros Sousa,Gisely Carvalho Ferraz,Lílian Varanda Pereira,Camila Damázio Da Silva

doi:10.1590/s0104-11692011000200004

Layz Alves Ferreira Souza, Fátima Aparecida Emm Faleiros Sousa + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s0104-11692011000200004

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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.

Highlights

Self-medication consists of the use of manufactured or homemade drugs without a medical prescription seeking to treat symptoms or self-diagnosed health conditions(1)
The source, the type of medication used and the motives associated with self-medication
Considering the scarcity www.eerp.usp.br/rlae of studies addressing the prevalence of self-medication among university students when in situations of pain, we opted for comparing the results of this study with those that investigated self-medication in similar situations such as the study carried out at the Federal University of Alfenas (UNIFAL), MG, Brazil

Summary

Introduction

Self-medication consists of the use of manufactured or homemade drugs without a medical prescription seeking to treat symptoms or self-diagnosed health conditions(1). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), informed self-medication is a way to self-care. Preferably pharmacists, should encourage the rational use of medication, provide information on drugs and complications that may result from their indiscriminate use and refer people to medical care when necessary, promoting responsible self-medication(2). Pain is among the reasons that people selfmedicate(3-4). People who experience pain seek relief through medical counseling, complementary therapies, and/or self-medication. One study carried out in Spain, in which 1,964 people of both genders between 20 and 91 years of age participated, showed that 66.3% of the individuals sought medical care when experiencing pain, 27.6% self-medicated, 20.5% used alternative therapies and 10.6% did not treat themselves(5)

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