SELF-MEDICATION AMONG STUDENTS OF THE FACULTY OF MEDICINE AT A UNIVERSITY IN NORTHERN PERU

Sánchez-Chamba E.; Santamaría-Veliz O.; Huanabal-Esquén P.; Suclupe-Farro E. · Revista de la Facultad de Medicina Humana (2024) · DOI: 10.25176/rfmh.v24i3.6510

Resumen

Objective: Describe self-medication and its relationship with sociodemographic characteristics in students of the medical school of a university in northern Peru 2023. Methods: An observational, cross-sectional and prospective design was used with 301 participants, using the CAuM-ovr questionnaire to collect data. Results: 83.4% of the students self-medicated. The bivariate analysis revealed that belonging to medical school signicantly increased the probability of self-medication (p=0.0001, OR=26.4), as did having a salary greater than 1, 500 soles (p=0.01, OR= 2, 26). The main reasons included symptoms not considered serious enough to see a doctor (39%). Regarding the level of knowledge, a high percentage (94.8%) did not request information about medications and 94% believed in the influence of advertising on their purchasing decisions. Attitudinally, 60.6% occasionally consulted a specialist for health problems, while 58.6% bought medications recommended by advertising. Conclusion: The frequency of self-medication is high among these students, which indicates a continuous risk practice despite their health training.

Instituciones: Universidad Católica Santo Toribio de Mogrovejo