Risks Of Self-medication Research Articles

Self-medication practice in different contexts: higher education students vs. users of an interior pharmacy

Abstract Introduction Self-medication is a common practice these days and is influenced by many factors, such as education, family, society, availability of medications and exposure to advertisements. This practice should be done responsibly for relief and treatment of brief and non-serious health conditions. Its irresponsible use can create risks to the individual’s health. Objectives This work aims to evaluate the knowledge about self-medication on higher education students, and on a village population located at the interior of the Portugal central region, in order to verify if health education and school level influence the behaviours how self-medication is done. Methodology An observational study was carried out at the Coimbra Health School (ESTeSC), and at a Pharmacy in a rural village, with a questionnaire done between March and May 2019. In this study 430 individuals contributed, of which 223 were enrolled in ESTeSC and 207 were Pharmacy’s customers. Results At the sample, female students (88.8%) predominated, with an average age of 20 years old. From the results collected at the Pharmacy’s customers, female individuals predominated (65.7%). From the overall, 75.8% indicated that they self-medicated in the last 6 months (170 individuals from ESTeSC and 156 from pharmacy) mainly for Flu/Cold symptoms (38.8%). Analgesics and antipyretics predominates self-medication with 36.3% and 41.06% (ESTeSC and Pharmacy, respectively). They further stated that self-medication is acceptable in some circumstances. Conclusion We can conclude that regarding to self-medication practice, individuals increasingly look out to treat their symptoms without seeking medical advice, as it is faster and cheaper. Therefore, pharmacy professionals must educate population about benefits and risks of self-medication. These professionals have an important role at the self-medication risks prevention, sharing information, therapeutic guidance and population education.

Self-Medication and Safety Profile of Medicines Used among Pregnant Women in a Tertiary Teaching Hospital in Jimma, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Despite the potential foetal and maternal risks of self-medication, studies on self-medication and safety profile of medicines used during pregnancy are scarce. This study determined the prevalence, predictors and safety profile of medicines used for self-medication during pregnancy at Jimma University Medical Centre (JUMC) in Ethiopia. Methods: A hospital-based cross sectional study was conducted on 1117 hospitalized pregnant women or postpartum women in the maternity and gynaecology wards at JUMC between February and June 2017. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire and by reviewing patient medical records. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Result: Nearly 3 out of 10 women reported taking at least one type of conventional medicine for self-medication, mainly analgesics 92.3%. Almost 75.0% of the self-medicated women used medicines classified as probably safe and 13.6% as potentially risky to use during pregnancy. Medicinal plant use, religion and access to a health facility near their residency were significantly associated with self-medication during pregnancy. Conclusions: Self-medication is common among pregnant women at JUMC. Most women used medicines classified as safe to use during pregnancy. There is need for enlightenment of pregnant women on the potential dangers of self-medication during pregnancy to prevent foetal and maternal risks.

Riscos da automedicação em idosos acometidos pelo coronavírus e outras síndromes respiratórias

O presente estudo objetivou descrever os principais riscos da automedicação em idosos acometidos pelo coronavírus e outras síndromes respiratórias. O presente estudo se trata de uma pesquisa exploratória do tipo revisão de literatura. Para o desenvolvimento dessa revisão, foram percorridas as seguintes etapas: 1) definição do tema e formulação da questão norteadora, 2) estabelecimento dos critérios de inclusão e exclusão, 3) definição dos descritores, 4) pré-seleção dos artigos, 5) avaliação dos estudos (interpretação dos resultados) e 6) apresentação da revisão. A realização das buscas ocorreu entre fevereiro a abril de 2020, utilizando as bases de dados Scielo, Science Direct, Google scholar e PubMed, com o recorte temporal de 2016 a 2020. Os descritores utilizados, de modo associado e isolado, foram: Risco, Idoso, Automedicação, Coronavírus e Síndrome respiratória, em inglês, espanhol e português e indexados no DeCS. Dentro das buscas, foram encontrados 488 artigos; porém, após a exclusão de achados duplicados (161), indisponíveis na integra (77) e incompletos (138), restringiram-se a 112 obras, estas foram lidas individualmente pelos pesquisadores. Ao final das análises, 16 artigos foram utilizados na revisão, os quais possuíam os descritores inclusos no tema e/ou resumo e foram incluídos porque melhor se enquadravam no objetivo proposto. A automedicação requer atenção especial em idosos, pois essa faixa etária apresenta um maior risco de interações medicamentosas, com um possível aumento de reações adversas aos medicamentos, podendo assim, causar complicações aos pacientes, principalmente devido às alterações típicas do processo de envelhecimento.

Determinants of non-prescription antibiotic dispensing in Chinese community pharmacies from socio-ecological and health system perspectives.

Although non-prescription antibiotic dispensing (NPAD) has been officially forbidden by the Chinese government since 2004, it is still a common practice throughout the country. In this study, we use China as an example to explore the determinants of NPAD within the framework of its health system from a socio-ecological perspective. A mixed-method combining the simulated client method (SCM) and key informant interviews conducted in Zhejiang, Hubei, and Sichuan provinces was adopted. 73.3% of the SCM interactions engendered NPAD (91.7% through antibiotic requests vs. 55% through consultation) in Chinese community pharmacies; a much higher rate than the global average. At the intrapersonal level, NPAD was found to be driven by profits from selling non-prescription antibiotics and traditional Chinese medicine. At the interpersonal level, NPAD was driven by fierce competition in the community pharmacy market and by customers' unreasonable expectations. At the institutional level, it is easy for community pharmacies to evade the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) supervision by obtaining unsupervised and fake prescriptions, refusing to give customers sale receipts, and hiding their antibiotic supplies and sale records. At the policy level, the low cost of violating the prescription-only antibiotic sale regulation and poor FDA supervision facilitated NPAD. The Chinese health system has thus failed to establish and regulate a diverse network of pharmacies for patients to fill their prescriptions; few antibiotic prescriptions are transferred from hospitals to community pharmacies. Education campaigns to increase awareness about the risks of self-medication with antibiotics among the general public, recognizable standardize prescriptions for customers to fill their prescriptions in community pharmacies, regulations on Internet and private clinic doctors' antibiotic prescribing behaviors, electronic tracking and tracing system to purchases and sales data of antibiotics and other prescription drugs, increasing cost of violating the prescription-only regulations for antibiotics sales are expected interventions to reduce NPAD.

Treatment of COVID-19 in peru and bolivia, and self-medication risks

Treatment of COVID-19 in peru and bolivia, and self-medication risks

Investigação sobre a automedicação dos estudantes do curso de medicina de uma Instituição de Ensino Superior

Avaliar as práticas de automedicação em estudantes de medicina, bem como os fatores, a frequência e quais são os medicamentos mais frequentes. Método: estudo transversal quali-quantitativo, no qual cerca de 200 alunos responderam um questionário contendo questões de múltipla escolha sobre a prática de automedicação. Para análise de estatística dos dados foi feito o teste de qui-quadrado e utilizado índice de confiança de 95%. Dos 146 estudantes que administraram algum medicamento neste período, 61 (41,7%) relataram que o medicamento não foi prescrito por médico/dentista. A prevalência da automedicação entre os estudantes que administraram algum medicamento nos últimos 6 meses foi de 88%. Os medicamentos mais utilizados foram os analgésicos e relaxantes musculares. Vale ressaltar o uso indiscriminado de antibióticos, sendo que uma das maiores e perigosas consequências é a resistência bacteriana, que impede a eficácia do tratamento e a demora na cura do paciente. O índice de automedicação entre os estudantes foi alto, semelhante a outros estudos observados. Essa temática necessita de práticas de intervenção das estruturas educacionais acadêmicas, as quais precisam estar fundamentadas em métodos e protocolos efetivos que enfoquem favorecer aos estudantes de Medicina, alertando-os sobre os risco da automedicação.

Medication Use among Pregnant Women from the 2015 Pelotas (Brazil) Birth Cohort Study.

Background: Medication use during pregnancy is a common practice that has been increasing in recent years. The aim of this study is to describe medication use among pregnant women from the 2015 Pelotas (Brazil) Birth Cohort Study. Methods: This paper relies on a population-based cohort study including 4270 women. Participants completed a questionnaire about the antenatal period, including information about medication use. We performed descriptive analyses of the sample and the medications used and adjusted analyses for the use of medications and self-medication. Results: The prevalence of medication use was 92.5% (95% CI 91.7–93.3), excluding iron salts, folic acid, vitamins, and other minerals. The prevalence of self-medication was 27.7% (95% CI 26.3–29.1). In the adjusted analysis, women who had three or more health problems during pregnancy demonstrated higher use of medicines. Self-medication was higher in lower income groups and among smokers and multiparous women (three pregnancies or more). Acetaminophen, scopolamine, and dimenhydrinate were the medications most commonly used. Conclusions: This study describes the pattern of drug use among pregnant women in a population-based cohort study, with a high prevalence of self-medication. Greater awareness of the risks of self-medication during pregnancy is required, focusing on groups more prone to this practice, as well as ensuring qualified multidisciplinary prenatal care.

Self-medication and knowledge among pregnant women attending primary healthcare services in Malang, Indonesia: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundSelf-medication with over-the-counter (OTC) drugs is an important public health concern, especially in the vulnerable population of pregnant women due to potential risks to both the mother and fetus. Few studies have studied how factors, such as knowledge, affect self-medication. This study investigated self-medication and its associated factors among pregnant women attending healthcare services in Malang, Indonesia.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from July to September 2018 in five healthcare services. A self-administered questionnaire was used and the data were analyzed using multiple regression models.ResultsOf 333 female participants, 39 (11.7%) used OTC medication. Women with a higher level of knowledge of OTC medication were more likely to self-medicate—adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.03–4.46. Compared with those with less knowledge, pregnant women with more correct knowledge of the possible risk of self-medication were less likely to self-medicate—aOR = 0.29; 95% CI = 0.14–0.60. The effect of a higher level of knowledge of OTC medication was significant among women who had middle school and lower education—aOR = 8.18; 95% CI = 1.70–39.35. The effect of correct knowledge on the possible risks of self-medication was significant only among women with high school and higher education—aOR = 0.17; 95% CI = 0.07–0.42.ConclusionImparting specific knowledge of the potential risks of using non-prescribed medication during pregnancy may help pregnant women navigate and more safely manage their OTC use. We also suggest further collecting data from more healthcare services, such as hospitals, to obtain more findings generalizable to the Indonesian community.

Awareness regarding risks of self-medication among people visiting community pharmacies.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted from April 2018 to February 2019 to assess the level of awareness regarding the risks of self-medication among people visiting the community pharmacies of Block-13, Gulistan-e-Johar, Karachi. Data was collected from 395 participants after taking their written informed consent by using a pre-tested questionnaire and analysed on statistical package for social sciences version 20. The study results showed that 186 (47.1%) participants were aware that drugs have side-effects, 242 (61.3%) knew that a drug can make a person dependent on it, 220 (55.7%) had the knowledge that long-term use of any medicine can be harmful to the body, 132 (33.4%) were aware that all over-the-counter medicines are not safe to use, whereas178 (45.1%) believed that no medicine should be taken unless recommended by a licensed practitioner. It was concluded that many of the study participants did not have the knowledge regarding risks of self-medication.

Специфіка дискурсу медичної реклами

The article is devoted to the peculiarities of medical advertising discourse, particular features of the advertised objects are outlined, functions and reasons of medications advertising discourse are described, and methods of influencing the addressee in this discourse are analyzed. It is stated that in the modern Ukrainian advertising reality a significant place is occupied by medical goods and services advertising. The relevance and importance of an in-depth study of this discourse are substantiated. The purpose of this article is to analyze the features of medical advertising discourse. Descriptive and functional research methods and a dictionary definition analysis method constitute a research methodology. The results of the study allowed concluding that medications advertising discourse has some features due to its subject area – intended for human health. Therefore, medical advertising discourse requires more detailed argumentation, persuasion, and evidentiality. The main functions of medical advertising discourse are distinguished, inter alia informational and pragmatic ones. The intelligence presents the key reasons stimulating the target audience to make a specific purchase: a reason for health, pain relief, desire to improve health, disease prevention, improving appearance, guidelines for the quality of medication, rate of response, and others. The main focus is the analysis of methods of influence on the addressee in the medical advertising discourse. These are methods of comparison, «appeal to figures of authority» method, application of a recommendation system, statistics provision, demonstrating concern for consumer health, creating a positive pragmatic background, unrevealed criticism of other medications, the opposition of «outdated» and «modern» in pharmacology, «scenario: problem-solution» method. The author notes that the peculiarities of medical advertising discourse require copywriters to find new ways to present information about medications. The article emphasizes that a characteristic feature and a mandatory component of medical advertising discourse is to warn of the risks of self-medication, the need for specialized medical consultation, and reading the instructions. The novelty of the scientific intelligence results lays in the study of the medical advertising discourse features, in particular the analysis of methods of linguistic manipulation with the conscious and the subconscious of the recipient in medical advertising texts.

Influence of Medication Error among Medical and Non-medical Students in a Malaysian University

Background: Worldwide medication error is a common problem and inappropriate use of medicinal drugs is a major issue of drug resistance. Self-medication is a main contributor to human pathogen resistance to certain antibiotics. This research aims to investigate the prevalence, perception and predictors of self-medication among students in a Malaysian University. Methods: A total number of 317 students were included in this study. This cross-sectional study was conducted from Feb-May 2018. A convenience sample was taken from medical and non-medical university students. The association between the independents factors and the prevalence of self-medication was analysed using binary logistic regression. Data was analysed using SPSS version 23. Results: Among the respondents, 39.1% of them had recently practiced self-medication. The most common reason for self-medication was due to convenience (50%) and the most common source of the medication is directly from pharmacies (46.4%). Commonly used medicines were analgesics (44.4%), cough and cold remedies (31.0%) and antibiotics (9.9%). The majority of students (46.0%) experienced sleepiness after self-medication. Overall, the participants scored a mean 8 out of 10 questions for knowledge assessments on self-medication. In the assessment of the participants’ attitude towards self-medications, the participants agreed with 4 of 5 statements that are against self-medication. The probability of self-medication was higher among medical students compare to non medical students (OR=2.039, P=0.025). In addition, students who are suffering from long term illness are at more risk of self medication (OR=5.190, P= 0.004). Conclusion: Selfmedication poses significant risk of toxicity upon misuse and proper selfmedication should be taught to all people through educational programs and better drug dispensing systems. Key words: Self-medication, Over the counter, Medical and non-medical.

The use of analgesics and risk of self-medication in an urban population sample: cross-sectional study

Background and objectivesThere are few data in the literature characterizing the pattern of analgesic use in Latin American countries, including Brazil. Little is known about the undertreatment of pain and its influence on the habit of self-medication with analgesics. The aim of this study is to define the pattern of analgesic use among chronic pain patients and its potential association with self-medication with analgesics. MethodCross-sectional observational study with an urban population sample. Chronic pain was defined as a pain lasting for at least 90 days. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the institution. Results416 subjects were included; 45.7 % (n = 190) had chronic pain, with females (72.3 %; p = 0.04) being the most affected. Self-medication with analgesics is practiced by 78.4% of patients with chronic pain. The most common current analgesic treatment consists of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (dipyrone and acetaminophen). Weak opioids are rarely used and only 2.6% of subjects with chronic pain were taking these analgesics. None of the subjects were taking potent opioids. ConclusionsThe practice of self-medication with analgesics is frequent among patients with chronic pain, which may be due to the underprescription of more potent analgesics, such as opioids. It can also be said that, given the data presented, there is no crisis of recreational opioid use in the studied population.

Evaluation of a Community-Run and General-Practitioner-Supervised Self-Care for Minor Illnesses (CGPSC) Program in a Remote Area in Taiwan.

Although Taiwanese citizens benefit from affordable health care, residents in remote areas extensively rely on unsafe self-care practices because of a lack of easy access to medical services. To improve self-care safety, ten easy-access self-care medical spots (ESCMSs) managed by trained residents were established in two remote villages. This study aimed to assess the impact of ESCMSs on self-care and access to medical services. For a total of six commonly experienced minor illnesses, the average number of illnesses for which residents were confident to perform self-care increased from 2.78 in the pretest to 3.58 in the post-test. ESCMSs were also the first choice when experiencing minor illnesses for 31.25% residents who did not visit a doctor. Residents' personal experience with ESCMSs correlated with their perception of ESCMSs' function. Compared with residents who had no personal experience of using ESCMSs, those who used the ESCMS service were less likely to store medications for minor illnesses at home (51.02% vs. 76.67%). Furthermore, those who attribute the reduced needs for professional help to ESCMSs had used medications for minor illnesses at ESCMSs. These results suggest that establishing ESCMSs is a viable alternative to increase the self-care capacity of residents in remote areas and increase the access to medical resources. Moreover, because residents are less likely to store medication and travel for professional help, ESCMSs could indirectly reduce the risks of self-medication and traffic accidents, respectively. However, caution should be exercised when generalizing these results to more populated areas that also lack medical resources.

Prevalence of Self-Medication with Analgesics Among People Referring to Outpatient Dental Clinics in an Iranian Population

Background: Self-medication is a behavior in which a person, without the use of professional advice, resolves his health problem. Self-medication is common in the world and considered as a growing public health problem. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of self-medication with analgesics for dental problems over a two-year period among a population in Shiraz, Iran. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 1,203 people. They were randomly selected from among men and women older than 12 with a mean age of 36.2 years, attending outpatient health clinics in 10 districts of Shiraz. A researcher-made questionnaire was used to collect data on demographic variables, dental pain, and self-care remedies utilized to combat dental pain. SPSS version 22 software was used for statistical analysis by the chi-square test and one-way ANOVA. The values of P < 0.05 were considered significant. Results: The prevalence of self-medication was 56.1% and the most common reasons for self-medication were having severe pain (35.3%), having prior experience (15.9%), and the high cost of dental visits (13.5%). The most common self-used drugs were Ibuprofen (29.42%) and Acetaminophen (21.61%). Self-medication was not significantly related to variables such as educational level, gender, and marital status and was related to age and salary. Conclusions: As found in our study, the high prevalence of self-medication is a major concern. There is a need for health education on indications and risks of self-medication.

DRUG CHEMISTRY AND SELF-MEDICATION AWARENESS AS A TOOL IN TEACHING ORGANIC FUNCTIONS

One of the greatest difficulties in teaching chemistry is the decontextualized form the content is taught in the classroom. This study aims to use contextualization as a pedagogical tool, presenting different approaches to teaching chemistry by using organic functions applied to pharmaceutical drugs and alerting students about the risks of self-medication, as well as underlining precautions that should be taken when consuming medication. The project was carried out at the Maria Almeida do Nascimento State School, in Coari, Amazonas – Brazil, with high school seniors. The study used both quantitative and qualitative methods carried out in six steps: I Application of initial questionnaire; II expository lectures and discussions of clinical cases; III experimentation; IV lecture explaining reactions; V learning assessment; VI application of final questionnaire. Results showed a positive effect on content comprehension. This research demonstrates the importance of contextualizing academic subjects in teaching chemistry and using different methodologies to build scientific and social knowledge. Additionally, it helped bring awareness to the practice of selfmedication.

Awareness of risks associated with Self-medication among Patients attending General Out-patient Department of a Tertiary Hospital in South Western Nigeria

Self-medication has become a common practice in many developing countries like Nigeria and mainly due to lack of access to health care, easy availability of over the counter drugs in markets and poor drug regulatory practices. The study assessed knowledge of people about the risks associated with self-medication; identify the causes of self-medication; assess the commonly misused drugs; and identify information sources for purchasing and using drugs without prescription. The study was conducted in General Outpatient Department of a tertiary hospital in Nigeria and Census was used to select the respondents. Descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted and questionnaire was used for this study. Data was analyzed by using SSPS version 22.0 while frequency tables, bar charts and chi square were used to present the data. Findings revealed that 82.3% of the respondents had high awareness of the risks associated with self-medication, high cost of treatment and previous experience were the most identified causes of self-medication. Commonly abused drugs were Analgesics and antibiotics. Major sources of information for purchasing the drugs were the pharmacy and family members while age, sex and educational were significantly associated with awareness of the risk of self-medication. The study concluded that patients had high awareness of the risks associated with self-medication, high cost of treatment and previous experience with disease accounted for the practice. It is therefore important for Nigerian government to enforcement the existing regulations against free display and sales of drugs in unauthorized places.

Public Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Antibiotics, Riyadh, KSA

Background: Antibiotics are important drugs used against bacterial infections. Unfortunately, overusing them resulted in the development of resistant bacteria. There are limited data concerning antibiotic use so we worked on this study to provide more updated data. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess public knowledge, attitude and practice regarding antibiotics use and related factors in Riyadh – KSA. Method: It was a cross-sectional online and manual survey involving 474 respondents and was conducted in Riyadh, KSA in February 2016. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results: Most of the respondents (86.5%) had used antibiotics for others (friends and family). Only 7% of respondents had good knowledge and about 50% of them had negative attitudes. Respondents' educational level was a predictor of negative attitude as those with a low level of education (below secondary) 66.7% were more likely to show negative attitude compared to those with high educational level (university and above; 40%). Poor level of knowledge was a predictor of negative attitude; as 65% of respondents with poor knowledge showed a negative attitude compared to only 24.2%; those with a good level of knowledge. Conclusion: This study concluded that females and married participants showed better practice toward antibiotics use. Higher education level was strongly associated with better knowledge, attitude, and practice and was not associated with an increased risk of self-medication. Respondents with high income and those with better knowledge exhibited better practice.

Prevalence of self-medication practice among health sciences students in Kermanshah, Iran

BackgroundThe possibility of self-medication is higher in health sciences students than other students because of easy access to drug information resources and relatively sufficient familiarity with various kinds of drugs. The current study was aimed to determine the prevalence of self-medication and its related factors among the health sciences students.MethodsA total of 250 health sciences students were included in this cross-sectional study via random sampling. Data were collected by a researcher-made self-medication questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS-20 software using descriptive and inferential statistics (chi-square test).ResultsThe prevalence of self-medication was 89.6%. Prior experience about the illness, non-seriousness of the illness and availability of drugs were the most prevalent reasons for self-medication. The most commonly used medications included common cold drugs, analgesics and antibiotics. The most frequently used medications were cold pill, acetaminophen pill and amoxicillin capsule. Most students obtained their pharmaceutical information from the pharmacist physician and online sources. Self-medication did not show a significant difference in terms of variables such as age, gender, marital status, insurance status and residence.ConclusionGiven the high prevalence of self-medication among the health sciences students, training courses about the self-medication risks, more supervision over prohibition of over-the-counter drugs and adequate facilities for students’ access to medical services are suggested to be provided.

Self-medication practice and associated factors among pregnant women in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

BackgroundSelf-medication which is the act of obtaining and using one or more medicines without medical supervision is a common practice among pregnant women. Unless proper caution is taken, it may result in maternal and fetal adverse outcomes. In Ethiopia, information on self-medication practice during pregnancy is scanty. Hence, this study aimed to assess self-medication practice and associated factors among pregnant women in government health centers in Addis Ababa.MethodsAn institution-based mixed study design using a sequential explanatory approach was employed among 617 pregnant women and nine key informants in Addis Ababa from May 8, 2017, to June 30, 2017. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select study participants, and purposive sampling technique was used to select the key informants. The quantitative data were collected using a structured interview questionnaire and analyzed using Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) version 23.0 whereas semi-structured questionnaire was used for in-depth interviews. Binary logistic regression was used for quantitative data analysis, and thematic analysis method was used for qualitative data.ResultsThe prevalence of self-medication practice was 26.6%. Previous medication use (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 4.20, 95% CI 2.70–6.53), gestational period (AOR = 0.63, 95% CI 0.41–0.98), education on self-medication (AOR = 0.36, 95% CI 0.21–0.62), previous pregnancy and delivery related problems (AOR = 1.71, 95% CI 1.06–2.76), and knowledge about risk of self-medication (AOR = 0.64, 95% CI 0.42–0.97) were significantly associated with self-medication practice. Lack of attention and priority of program designers, absence of strategies and guidelines; weak screening mechanisms, and regulatory enforcement were cited by the key informants as contributing factors for self-medication practices.ConclusionsConsiderable proportion of pregnant women practiced self-medication, including medicines categorized to have high risks. Gestational period, previous medication use, education on self-medication, previous pregnancy- and delivery-related problems, and knowledge were significantly associated with self-medication practice. In addition, there are correctable gaps in program designing, screening of pregnant women, regulatory enforcement, and strategies and guidelines. Hence, necessary measures at all levels must be taken to reduce risks of self-medication during pregnancy.

Advocating the Responsible Use of Drugs through an Academic Service‐learning Activity in Higher Education.

Even with the great availability of new drugs and the best clinicians, therapeutic results are not always as expected. Poor therapeutic adherence leads to a waste of scientific knowledge and resources of the public health system. Medical students from the University of Barcelona analyzed this situation in their local hospital via a survey oriented to patients, which indicated a lack of adherence to prescribed treatments as well as an excess of self‐medication.A service‐learning activity begins with the identification of a real need and the preparation of an action plan (Kaye, 2004). The aim is to encourage best practices amongst the general public and health workers regarding drug consumption through an awareness campaign.In order to improve awareness and understanding of the consequences of the problem described, an audiovisual campaign was chosen, focusing on promoting therapeutic compliance and avoiding the risks of self‐medication. Thanks to the collaboration between the Medicine and Audiovisual degrees, two video clips were produced: (https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1aCcXVIkA_cNDFseTNPb3Z2TUE) (https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1aCcXVIkA_cV2t3bHdhQUpxdWc)This methodology improved the academic learning in Pharmacology and Audiovisual sciences as well as those related to other competencies required by our university.The skills acquired were generally assessed according to their specific degree competencies. The outcomes for the participants were: 1) learning to communicate scientific subjects in an appropriate language for the subject and audience, 2) detecting some common mistakes in drug prescription and/or therapeutic adherence, 3) producing audiovisual and multimedia content and 4) networking with experts from another field of knowledge.Kaye, C. B. The complete guide to service learning: Proven, practical ways to engage students in civic responsibility, academic curriculum, &amp; social action. Free Spirit Publishing, 2004.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.