Automedicação entre alunos do curso de farmácia da Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC)

Abstract

Medicines have a symbolic role on the population, contributing to the medicalization process. Its indiscriminate use can increase the chances of intoxication. Self-medication is defined as the use of medications without the prescription, orientation and or accompaniment of a doctor or dentist. There are several ways to be practiced, as well as several causes and consequences for those who practice it, and it is much common in Brazil and in the world. The objective of this study was to identify the prevalence and characteristics of self-medication among students of the Pharmacy course of Federal University of Ceará (UFC). It was a transversal study and occurred in the period from October 25th to November 9th, 2018. The collection instrument consisted of a self-referenced questionnaire with 19 questions divided into three parts, with study variables that cover socio-demographic characteristics, general aspects of health and aspects related to the use of medication. A self-medication rate of 59,2% of the interviewees was obtained, being more frequent in the age group greater than 23 years old (63,9%), female (62,4%), singles / divorced (60,0%), semester ≥ 6th (61,8%) and monthly family income ≥ 03 minimum wages (62,1%). In total, 439 drugs were consumed, 274 of which were self-medication (62,4%). The main reason for drug use was headache (35,8%), and dypyrone (18,6%) and ibuprofen (11,7%) were the drugs most consumed in the last 15 days. The indication and orientation of use of medicines for own account occurred in 73,3% and 74,4%, respectively. This work allowed knowing the profile of self-medication in the pharmacy course of UFC, allowing drawing educational measures from the data obtained.