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Sex--differences on self-medication in Spain
Pilar Carrasco-Garrido1, Valentín Hernández-Barrera, Ana López de Andrés
1Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Rey Juan Carlos University, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain. pilar.carrasco@urjc.es
Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety
|September 28, 2010
Summary
Self-medication is more common in women than men in Spain, with unhealthy lifestyles like alcohol and tobacco use increasing the likelihood of self-medicated drug consumption for both genders.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Social Sciences
- Pharmacoeconomics
Background:
- Self-medication, the use of drugs without consulting a healthcare professional, is a widespread practice with significant public health implications.
- Understanding the factors influencing self-medication is crucial for developing targeted interventions and promoting rational drug use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the factors associated with self-medicated drug consumption in the Spanish adult population.
- To analyze these factors from a gender-specific perspective.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive, cross-sectional study utilizing data from the 2006-2007 Spanish National Health Survey (SNHS).
- Analysis of 20,738 adult subjects using logistic multivariate regression models.
- Separate models were generated for female and male populations to identify independent predictors of self-medication.
Main Results:
- The overall prevalence of self-medication in Spain was 20.17%.
- Women exhibited a higher prevalence (16.93%) compared to men (14.46%).
- Factors associated with increased self-medication in women included younger age, alcohol consumption, and smoking. In men, self-medication was linked to immigrant nationality, income, and alcohol consumption.
Conclusions:
- Self-medicated drug use is more prevalent among women than men in Spain.
- Unhealthy lifestyle factors, specifically alcohol and tobacco consumption, are significantly associated with a higher likelihood of self-medication across the population.
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