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Updated: Jun 9, 2026
06:59
A Novel Approach for the Administration of Medications and Fluids in Emergency Scenarios and Settings
Published on: November 9, 2016
[Self-medication and health academic staff]
Daniela Silva de Aquino1, José Augusto Cabral de Barros, Maria Dolores Paes da Silva
1Departamento de Farmácia, Faculdades Integradas da Vitória de Santo Antão, Recife, PE, 50610-000. aquino.daniela@hotmail.com
Ciencia & Saude Coletiva
|August 31, 2010
Summary
Future health professionals exhibit high drug utilization, with over half engaging in self-medication rather than prescription use. This study highlights prevalent analgesic and vitamin use among students.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Public Health
- Medical Education
Context:
- Self-medication is a significant global public health concern.
- Understanding drug utilization patterns among future healthcare providers is crucial for informed interventions.
- This study focuses on academic students at a public university in Recife City, Brazil.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the drug utilization behavior of future health professionals.
- To specifically assess the prevalence and patterns of self-medication practices among these students.
- To identify the most commonly used drugs and reasons for their use.
Summary:
- A survey of 223 academic students revealed that 65.5% used drugs in the past 15 days.
- Self-medication accounted for 57.7% of drug use, compared to 42.3% of prescription use.
- Analgesics (24.0%) and vitamins (18.9%) were the most frequently used drugs, primarily for pain relief (30.5%).
Impact:
- Findings indicate a high rate of drug utilization among future health professionals, with a notable reliance on self-medication.
- The study underscores the need for educational initiatives promoting rational drug use and discouraging inappropriate self-medication in medical training.
- Results provide valuable data for public health strategies aimed at curbing self-medication practices in vulnerable populations.
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