Abstract

GUILLEM SAIZ, Patricia; FRANCES BOZAL, Francesc; GIMENEZ FERNANDEZ, Francisco  and  SAIZ SANCHEZ, Carmen. Study on self-medication in the Spanish university population. Rev Clin Med Fam [online]. 2010, vol.3, n.2, pp.99-103. ISSN 2386-8201.

Aims. Self-medication is a common behaviour that can have serious effects on health. This practice has been little studied in Spanish university population. Our aim is to assess the importance of this behaviour and to study its associated factors. Material and methods. A self-completed questionnaire was designed and administered to a sample of Spanish university students. The impact of sex, type of studies and drug information habits was assessed. Chi-square and logistic regression models were undertaken. Results. Self-medication was confirmed in 90.8% of the 501 individuals that correctly answered the questionnaire. This practice was significantly more common among women. The analgesic/anti-inflammatory group of drugs was the most frequently consumed (73% of self-medicators). Women significantly consumed more anticatarrhals (OR=1.70), whereas antibiotics were more consumed by men (OR=1.88). Furthermore, individuals with good drug information habits had less antibiotic consumption (OR=2.15). Conclusions. Self-medication is a very common habit in Valencian university population, and is the highest reported to date in our country. Sex and drug information habits are associated with self-medication in some groups of drugs.

Keywords : Self Medication; Students; University.

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