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O câncer, frequentemente relacionado ao envelhecimento, impulsiona pacientes a buscarem tratamento hospitalar ou métodos alternativos, como plantas medicinais. Este estudo visou avaliar os perfis sociodemográfico e clínico e o consumo de plantas para fins medicinais entre pacientes idosos em tratamento oncológico no Hospital Araújo Jorge (HAJ). Dados de 55 pacientes foram analisados, abrangendo informações sociodemográficas, tipos de câncer, tratamento, a utilização de plantas medicinais, o objetivo de uso, as fontes de informações sobre plantas e se notaram alguma reação adversa após o consumo. A faixa etária mais encontrada foi 61 a 70 anos (67,27%), a maioria dos pacientes eram homens (63,64%), com ensino fundamental incompleto (32,73%), casados (56,36%) e que moram no interior de Goiás (43,64%). Quanto ao tratamento, a maioria realizava quimioterapia (40,00%) e o câncer gástrico foi mais relatado (14,54%). Sobre o uso de plantas medicinais, a maioria relatou simpatizar com o consumo (58,18%), e acredita em sua segurança devido à origem natural (59,37%). Informações sobre o uso de plantas medicinais eram obtidas com amigos, vizinhos e familiares (21,81%). Ao relatar sobre o consumo de plantas medicinais durante a quimioterapia, a maioria não percebeu nenhum efeito (40,63%). Foram citadas 17 plantas, que eram utilizadas no tratamento anticâncer (29,00%) e preparadas como infusões (18,75%) pelo uso das folhas frescas (60,00%), principalmente para uso interno (46,87%). Diante disso, a atenção farmacêutica se mostra vital para guiar pacientes nas práticas seguras e eficazes de consumo. Isso inclui direcionar sobre doses adequadas, efeitos colaterais e interações, garantindo bem-estar e prevenindo riscos à saúde.

Cancer, which is often related to ageing, drives patients to seek hospital treatment or alternative methods such as medicinal plants. This study aimed to evaluate the sociodemographic and clinical profile and the consumption of plants for medicinal purposes among elderly patients undergoing cancer treatment at the Araújo Jorge Hospital (AJH). Data from 55 patients was analyzed, covering sociodemographic information, types of cancer, treatment, the use of medicinal plants, the purpose of use, the source of information about plants and whether they noticed any adverse reactions after consumption. The most common age group was 61 to 70 years (67.27%), the majority of patients were men (63.64%), had incomplete primary education (32.73%), were married (56.36%) and lived in the interior of Goiás (43.63%). With regard to treatment, the majority were undergoing chemotherapy (40,00%) and gastric cancer was the most frequently reported (14.54%). With regard to the use of medicinal plants, the majority were sympathetic to their consumption (58.18%) and believed them to be safe due to their natural origin (59.37%). Information on the use of medicinal plants was obtained from friends, neighbors and family members (21.81%). When reporting on the consumption of medicinal plants during chemotherapy, the majority did not notice any effect (40.63%). Seventeen plants were mentioned, which were used for anticancer treatment (29,00%) and prepared as infusions (18.75%) with fresh leaves (60,00%), mainly for internal use (46.87%). In view of this, pharmaceutical care is vital to guide patients in safe and effective consumption practices. This includes guidance on appropriate doses, side effects and interactions, ensuring well-being and preventing health risks.

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Introducción: el hecho de que una persona no puede acceder a un servicio de salud puede favorecer la automedicación, que es la administración de fármacos según la autopercepción del individuo sobre su posible diagnóstico y solución. Aunque es una situación considerada como problema de salud pública, por medio de la educación o futuras investigaciones que generen propuestas, se podrá erradicar las barreras al acceso de la salud oral. Objetivo: determinar la prevalencia de la automedicación en odontología en adultos de Macas, Ecuador, durante el año 2021. Material y métodos: estudio descriptivo, cuantitativo, documental, comunicacional y transversal actual, donde se trabajó sobre la población de edad adulta de Macas, Ecuador; los datos se recolectaron mediante una encuesta online, para luego ser analizados en prevalencia, frecuencia y chi cuadrado. Resultados: 49% de los encuestados respondió que se automedican, los analgésicos fueron el tipo de medicamento más consumido (44.2%); 27% de los individuos respondió que el dolor dental era una causa para tomar medicamentos sin receta, el principal motivo para automedicarse y no acudir al odontólogo fue por indicación del técnico de farmacia (26%). Conclusiones: los datos epidemiológicos obtenidos en esta investigación demuestran la marcada tendencia de las personas a consumir medicinas sin receta médica, por lo que, se deduce que existe una barrera para acceder a los servicios de salud oral; por ello, debería darse la importancia y atención oportuna (AU)

Introduction: the fact that a person cannot access a health service, may favor self-medication, which is the administration of drugs according to the individual's self-perception about their possible diagnosis and solution. Although, it is a situation considered as a public health problem, through education or future research that generates proposals, it will be possible to eradicate the barriers to oral health access. Objective: to determine the prevalence of self-medication in dentistry in adults in Macas, Ecuador, during the year 2021. Material and methods: a descriptive, quantitative, documentary, communicational and current cross-sectional study was carried out on the adult population of Macas, Ecuador; data were collected by means of an online survey and then analyzed in terms of prevalence, frequency and chi-square. Results: 49% of those surveyed responded that they self-medicate, analgesics were the most consumed type of medicine (44.2%), 27% of the individuals responded that dental pain was a cause for taking medicines without prescription, the main reason for self-medicating and not going to the dentist was because of the indication of the pharmacy technician (26%). Conclusions: the epidemiological data obtained in this investigation show us the marked tendency of people to take medicines without a medical prescription; therefore, it can be deduced that there is a barrier to accessing oral health services, and for this reason it should be given importance and timely attention (AU)

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Introduction: Self-medication is a prevalent behavior with significant health implications. Understanding its psychosocial determinants can inform preventative strategies and interventions. Methods: We evaluated the psychometric properties of the Self-Medication Behavior Inventory (SMBI-9) in a binational study with 779 Colombian and Mexican participants. Concurrent validity was assessed through correlations with related inventories, and confirmatory factor analysis tested the proposed four-factor model. Results: The SMBI-9 demonstrated high model fit (CFI = 0.995, TLI = 0.991) and invariance across countries. The factors-Social Influence, Attitude toward Medicine, Avoidance, and Prevention-varied significantly with knowledge of medicine, schooling, health insurance status and gender, underscoring the role of social and personal beliefs in self-medication practices. Discussion: SMBI-9 emerged as a reliable tool for capturing the multifaceted nature of self-medication behaviors. Findings highlight the influence of social norms and personal attitudes, suggesting targeted approaches for behavioral interventions.

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Los estilos de vida adoptados por las personas pueden influir en la automedicación, al afectar sus decisiones sobre el uso de fármacos sin supervisión médica. Objetivo: Indagar en los factores asociados y estilos de vida que influyen en la automedicación en estudiantes de Medicina Humana de la Universidad Nacional de Cajamarca. Materiales y Métodos: Estudio de tipo cuantitativo, analítico correlacional y transversal. Se aplicó el cuestionario "Automedicación", desarrollado por Espilco y Félix en 2020, a 100 estudiantes, el cual consta de 16 ítems distribuidos en las categorías "Factores" (9 ítems) y "Automedicación" (7 ítems), y ha sido validado con un Alfa de Cbronbach de 0.750. Además, se utilizó un Alfa de Bronbach de 0.943 para evaluar los "Estilos de Vida", que abarcan las siguientes dimensiones: actividad física, salud con responsabilidad, nutrición saludable, gestión de tensiones y relaciones interpersonales. Resultados: Se identificó como factores asociados a la automedicación a: demográficos-culturales, donde el estado civil es el más significativo con una (p=0.0205); sociales, siendo significativo el lugar de accesibilidad del medicamento con una (p=0.0001) y la información del medicamento con una (p=0.0014) y finalmente económicos donde tiene más significancia el ingreso mensual del estudiante con una (p=0.0001). Además, se halló una prevalencia de automedicación del 82%, asimismo el tipo de estilo de vida no saludable (86%) y no hubo relación significativa con la automedicación (p=0.8119). Conclusión: Los factores asociados a la automedicación abarcan aspectos demográficos-culturales, sociales y económicos. Se ha observado una alta prevalencia de automedicación, alcanzando un 82%. No se halló una relación significativa entre el nivel de estilo de vida y la práctica de automedicación en este contexto particular.

The lifestyles adopted by people can influence self-medication, by affecting their decisions about the use of drugs without medical upervisión. Objective: To investigate the associated factors and lifestyles that influence self-medication in Human Medicine students of the National University of Cajamarca. Materials and Methods: Quantitative, correlational and cross-sectional analytical study. The questionnaire "Self-medication", developed by Espilco and Félix in 2020, was applied to 100 students, which consists of 16 items distributed in the categories "Factors" (9 items) and "Self-medication" (7 items), and has been validated with a Cbronbach's Alpha of 0.750. In addition, a Bronbach's Alpha of 0.943 was used to evaluate "Lifestyles", which cover the following dimensions: physical activity, health with responsibility, healthy nutrition, stress management and interpersonal relationships. Results: The following were identified as factors associated with self-medication: demographic-cultural, where marital status is the most significant with one (p=0.0205); social, being significant the place of accessibility of the medication with one (p=0.0001) and medication information with one (p=0.0014) and finally economic where the student's monthly income with one has more significance (p=0.0001). In addition, a prevalence of self-medication of 82% was found, as well as the type of unhealthy lifestyle (86%) and there was no significant relationship with self-medication (p=0.8119). Conclusion: The factors associated with self-medication cover demographic-cultural, social and economic aspects. A high prevalence of self-medication has been observed, reaching 82%. No significant relationship was found between lifestyle level and self-medication practice in this particular context.

Os estilos de vida adotados pelas pessoas podem influenciar a automedicação, afetando suas decisões sobre o uso de medicamentos sem supervisão médica. Objetivo: investigar os fatores associados e estilos de vida que influenciam a automedicação em estudantes de Medicina Humana da Universidade Nacional de Cajamarca. Materiais e Métodos: estudo de tipo quantitativo, analítico correlacional e transversal. O questionário "automedicação", desenvolvido por Espilco e Felix em 2020, foi aplicado a 100 estudantes, composto por 16 itens distribuídos nas categorias "fatores" (9 itens) e "automedicação" (7 itens), e foi validado com um Alfa de Cbronbach de 0,750. Além disso, um Alfa de Bronbach de 0, 943 foi usado para avaliar "Estilos de vida", abrangendo as seguintes dimensões: atividade física, saúde com responsabilidade, nutrição saudável, gerenciamento de tensões e relações interpessoais. Resultados: identificou-se como fatores associados à automedicação a: demográficos-culturais, onde o estado civil é o mais significativo com uma (p=0,0205); sociais, sendo significativo o local de acessibilidade do medicamento com uma (p=0,0001) e a informação do medicamento com uma (p=0,0014) e finalmente econômicos onde tem mais significância a renda mensal do estudante com uma (p=0,0001). Além disso, foi encontrada uma prevalência de automedicação de 82%, assim como o tipo de estilo de vida não saudável (86%) e não houve relação significativa com a automedicação (p=0,8119). Conclusão: os fatores associados à automedicação abrangem aspectos demográficos-culturais, sociais e econômicos. Foi observada uma alta prevalência de automedicação, atingindo 82%. Não foi encontrada relação significativa entre o nível de estilo de vida e a prática de automedicação neste contexto particular.

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INTRODUCTION: Self-medication is the use of drugs to treat self-diagnosed illnesses or symptoms, on one's own initiative, without the guidance of a healthcare professional. Poison centers play an important role in understanding the relationship between self-medication and poisoning. The objective of this study is to evaluate the clinical and epidemiological profile of patients exposed to and/or poisoned by different drugs through self-medication. METHODS: This retrospective, cross-sectional, and descriptive study analyzed data from 2014 to 2020, provided by the Toxicological Information and Assistance Center of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Data were selected, tabulated, and analyzed by using descriptive statistics and group comparison with the chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: There were 683 cases of self-medication identified. Most patients were female (62.8 percent) and between 20 and 29 years old (26.1 percent). A toxic dose of a substance was administered in only 22.8 percent of the cases, and five deaths were recorded. The most commonly used medications were anxiolytics (18 percent), followed by analgesics and antipyretics (15.4 percent). Paracetamol was the drug used in three of the five cases that resulted in deaths. DISCUSSION: This study demonstrates the prevalence of self-medication among women aged between 20 and 29 years old. Statistical analysis failed to show a relationship between a toxic dose and clinical manifestations. Anxiolytics, analgesics, and antipyretics are the most reported medications probably because healthcare professionals are mostly the ones who contact the center. Analgesics and antipyretics account for more than fifty percent of the deaths caused by self-medication in the present report. Some limitations such as secondary sources are related. CONCLUSION: We highlight the importance of health professionals in promoting the rational use of medicines, as well as poison centers in assisting the population and raising their awareness regarding the issue.

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Introduction: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has triggered a rise in the global phenomenon of self-medication. The use of medicines with unsubstantiated claims of benefit for the prevention and/or treatment of infected people has been widely adopted. Objective: To determine the factors associated with the use of medicines and self-medication by Latin American populations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted via an analysis of secondary data collected from 8777 responses from 12 Latin American countries obtained from a survey on the use of medicines and self-medication during the pandemic. Results: Respondents who reported using Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, or antibiotics (ABx) disclosed this as self-medication in 26.9%, 16.6%, and 9.7% of cases respectively. In our multivariate analysis, significant associations were found between: self-medication by individual choice and the use of Hydroxychloroquine, ABx, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (p = 0.026, = 0.003, and <0.001 respectively); self-medication on the recommendation of a family member, with ABx, Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, or other NSAIDs (p <0.001, <0.001, <0.001, and <0.001 respectively); and self-medication on the recommendation of another person, with Chloroquine, Hydroxychloroquine, Azithromycin, Penicillin, other ABx, Warfarin, Ivermectin, Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, or other NSAIDs (p <0.001, <0.001, <0.001, = 0.001, <0.001, <0.001, = 0.004, <0.001, <0.001, and <0.001 respectively). Conclusion: There was a significantly high prevalence of self-medication in our Latin American study population, including the use of medicines not recommended for COVID-19 treatment and/or prevention. The implementation of public health measures aimed at combating the worrying COVID-19 infodemic is essential to prevent this ongoing issue and its associated negative impacts on both current public health and future medication efficacy. This is especially important in the case of ABx due to the threat of a future antimicrobial resistance pandemic.

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ABSTRACT Objective: to construct an item bank to measure risk self-medication and assess its content validity. Method: this is a methodological study carried out from May to October 2022, with two phases: 1) item bank elaboration in the light of medication literacy and Theory of Planned Behavior based on a scoping review; and 2) content validity by twenty-two health experts. The Content Validity Index, Content Validity Ratio, binomial exact test for small samples and intraclass correlation coefficient were calculated. Results: Risk Self-Medication construct item elaboration was based on a broad review of solidified national and international publications in the health area. The definitions were approved by judges, with their respective domains. In the first version, the bank contained 136 items. Two rounds of analysis were carried out with judges, which resulted in the removal of 87 items. The final version presented 49 items, distributed across three domains: Medication literacy; Behavioral intention; and Behavior. The total Content Validity Index was 0.89, with excellent reliability (0.964). There was significant disagreement in the attribution of scores among judges (p>0.05) in some items. Conclusion: the item bank has satisfactory content. It is recommended to undergo semantic analysis and subsequent structure validity.

RESUMEN Objetivo: construir un banco de ítems para medir el riesgo de automedicación y evaluar su validez de contenido. Método: estudio metodológico realizado de mayo a octubre de 2022, con dos fases: 1) elaboración del banco de ítems a la luz de la alfabetización en medicamentos y la Teoría del Comportamiento Planificado a partir de una revisión del alcance; y 2) validez de contenido por veintidós expertos en salud. Se calcularon el Índice de Validez de Contenido, el Content Validity Ratio, la prueba exacta binomial para muestras pequeñas y el coeficiente de correlación intraclase. Resultados: la elaboración de los ítems del constructo Automedicación de Riesgo se basó en una amplia revisión de publicaciones nacionales e internacionales solidificadas en el área de la salud. Las definiciones fueron aprobadas por los jueces, con sus respectivos dominios. En la primera versión, el banco contenía 136 artículos. Se realizaron dos rondas de análisis con jueces, que resultaron en la eliminación de 87 ítems. La versión final presentó 49 ítems, distribuidos en tres dominios: alfabetización en medicina; Intención del comportamiento; y Comportamiento. El Índice de Validez de Contenido total fue de 0,89, con excelente confiabilidad (0,964). Hubo desacuerdo significativo en la atribución de puntuaciones entre los jueces (p>0,05) en algunos ítems. Conclusión: el banco de artículos tiene un contenido satisfactorio. Se recomienda someterse a un análisis semántico y posterior validez de la estructura interna.

RESUMO Objetivo: construir um banco de itens para mensuração da automedicação de risco e realizar sua validação de conteúdo. Método: estudo metodológico realizado no período de maio a outubro 2022, com duas fases: 1) elaboração do banco de itens, à luz do letramento em medicamentos e Teoria do Comportamento Planejado, a partir de revisão de escopo e 2) validação de conteúdo, por vinte e dois especialistas da saúde. Calculou-se o Índice de Validade de Conteúdo, Content Validity Ratio, teste exato binomial para amostras pequenas e coeficiente de correlação intraclasse. Resultados: a elaboração dos itens do constructo Automedicação de Risco foi fundamentada na ampla revisão de publicações nacionais e internacionais solidificadas na área da saúde. As definições foram aprovadas pelos juízes, com seus respectivos domínios. Na primeira versão, o banco continha 136 itens; foram realizadas duas rodadas de análises com juízes, que resultaram na remoção de 87 itens. A versão final apresentou 49 itens, distribuídos em três domínios: Letramento em medicamentos, Intenção do comportamento e Comportamento. O Índice de Validade de Conteúdo total foi de 0,89, com confiabilidade excelente (0,964). Houve discordância significativa na atribuição da pontuação entre os juízes (p>0,05) em alguns itens. Conclusão: o banco de itens apresenta conteúdo satisfatório. Recomenda-se passar por análise semântica e posterior validação da estrutura interna.

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ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE The transgender population in Brazil faces marginalization and difficulties in accessing education and health, leading many individuals to self-medicate. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the implementation of Specialized Centers in the Transsexualizing Process (SCTP) on the use of cross-sex hormone therapy (CSHT) without medical prescription, as well as the level of education and mental health profile of these individuals. METHODS This is a cross-sectional study with data from physical and electronic medical records between September 2017 and February 2023 regarding the use of CSHT before and after the implementation of two SCTP in the state of Bahia, Brazil, in addition to data on education level, previous diagnosis of anxiety and depression of patients. RESULTS A total of 219 participants, 127 transgender men (TM) and 92 transgender women and travestis (TrTW), were assessed. A significant reduction in the prevalence of self-medication was observed in both TrTW (92.98% before and 51.43% after, p<0.001), and TM (47.17% before and 25.67% after, p = 0.010) with the implementation of SCTP. Transgender individuals who used CSHT before accessing the service were found to have a lower prevalence of depression. Self-medication was not significantly associated with education or anxiety in our sample. CONCLUSION The results indicate the need for the expansion of SCTP, as they were associated with lower rates of self-medication in the transgender population.

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ABSTRACT Objectives: to analyze the validity evidence of the internal structure of the Risk Self-Medication Questionnaire Focused on Health Literacy. Methods: a psychometric study with 499 adults. The internal structure was assessed with exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis to prove the adjustment. Internal consistency was measured by composite reliability and McDonald's omega coefficient (ω). Results: the parameters revealed a model of 35 items distributed across four factors, explaining 56% of the total variance, with factor loadings ranging from 0.31 to 0.85 and adequate communalities. Accuracy (0.79<ORION<0.98), representativeness (0.89<FDI<0.99), sensitivity (1.92<SR<7.07), factor hope (88.3%< EPTD<97.9%), replicability (0.82<H-Latent<H-observed<0.87) and reliability (ω=0.87) were adequate. The composite reliability ranged from 0.840 to 0.910. Furthermore, good model fit was achieved (TLI = 0.99; CFI = 0.99; GFI = 0.95; RMSEA = 0.02 and RMSR = 0.05). Conclusions: an instrument was obtained with good evidence of structural validity for measuring self-medication.

RESUMEN Objetivos: analizar la evidencia de validez de la estructura interna del Cuestionario de Automedicación de Riesgos Enfocado a la Alfabetización en Salud. Métodos: estudio psicométrico, con 499 adultos. La estructura interna fue evaluada con análisis factorial exploratorio y confirmatorio para comprobar el ajuste. La consistencia interna se midió mediante la confiabilidad compuesta y el coeficiente omega de McDonald (ω). Resultados: los parámetros revelaron un modelo de 35 ítems distribuidos en cuatro factores, explicando el 56% de la varianza total, con cargas factoriales que oscilaron entre 0,31 y 0,85 y comunalidades adecuadas. Los indicadores precisión (0,79<ORION<0,98), representatividad (0,89<FDI<0,99), sensibilidad (1,92<SR<7,07), factor esperanza (88,3%< EPTD<97,9%), replicabilidad (0,82<H-Latente<H -observado<0,87) y la confiabilidad (ω=0,87) fueron adecuadas. La confiabilidad compuesta osciló entre 0,840 y 0,910. Además, se logró un buen ajuste del modelo (TLI = 0,99; CFI = 0,99; GFI = 0,95; RMSEA = 0,02 y RMSR = 0,05). Conclusiones: se obtuvo un instrumento con buena evidencia de validez estructural para medir la automedicación.

RESUMO Objetivos: analisar as evidências de validade da estrutura interna do Questionário da Automedicação de Risco Focado no Letramento em Saúde. Métodos: estudo psicométrico, com 499 adultos. Avaliou-se a estrutura interna com análise fatorial exploratória e confirmatória para comprovar o ajuste. A consistência interna foi medida pela fidedignidade composta e pelo coeficiente ômega de McDonald (ω). Resultados: os parâmetros revelaram modelo de 35 itens distribuídos em quatro fatores, explicando 56% da variância total, com cargas fatoriais variando de 0,31 a 0,85 e comunalidades adequadas. Os indicadores precisão (0,79<ORION<0,98), representatividade (0,89<FDI<0,99), sensibilidade (1,92<SR<7,07), esperança do fator (88,3%<EPTD<97,9%), replicabilidade (0,82<H-Latente<H-observado<0,87) e confiabilidade (ω=0,87) foram adequados. A fidedignidade composta variou de 0,840 a 0,910. Além disso, alcançou-se bom ajuste do modelo (TLI = 0,99; CFI = 0,99; GFI = 0,95; RMSEA = 0,02; e RMSR = 0,05). Conclusões: obteve-se instrumento com boas evidências de validade de estrutura para mensuração da automedicação.

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INTRODUCCIÓN: Se ha observado desde el inicio de la pandemia cómo ha evolucionado y deteriorado la salud de los estudiantes principalmente en carreras del área de la salud, llevando a una parte de ellos a la automedicación OBJETIVO: Analizar la evidencia científica respecto a la automedicación en estudiantes del área de la salud en relación a problemas de salud mental en la pandemia COVID-19. METODOLOGÍA: Se realizó una revisión narrativa, la investigación se realizó desde abril hasta diciembre del año 2022, los textos incluidos fueron en idioma español, inglés y portugués. Se utilizaron 4 bases de datos. RESULTADOS: 4 artículos fueron identificados y rescatados, 3 latinoamericanos en específico todos de Brasil y un asiático, de universidades tanto públicas como privadas, todas las investigaciones tuvieron el denominador común COVID-19 y su correlación con automedicación solo en estudiantes universitarios del área de la salud, todas publicadas solo entre 2020 y 2022. CONCLUSIONES: Las carreras del ámbito de la salud que más se automedicaron son en orden: medicina, enfermería y farmacia. Los fármacos más utilizados fueron: ansiolíticos, antidepresivos e hipnóticos. Los trastornos de salud mental más evidenciados para la automedicación fueron ansiedad, depresión, alteración en los patrones del sueño, estrés, miedo, crisis de angustia, confusión, impotencia e ira, todas como efectos pandémicos. La automedicación es más frecuente a medida que los estudiantes van avanzando en su formación académica. Factores para la automedicación fueron problemas en el ámbito socioeconómico-familiar, falta de acceso a internet, falta de actividades prácticas, posible contagio.

BACKGROUND: Since the beginning of the pandemic, it has been observed that the health of students, especially those in health-related careers, has evolved and deteriorated, leading some to self-medication OBJECTIVE: To analyze the scientific evidence regarding self-medication of students in the health professions, in relation to mental health problems associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODOLOGY: A narrative review was conducted; the research was carried out from April to December 2022 based on texts in Spanish, English, and Portuguese. 4 databases were used. RESULTS: 4 articles were identified and selected: 3 from Latin America, specifically from Brazil, and one Asian. The articles were from both public and private universities. All the investigations had the common denominator of COVID-19 and its correlation with self-medication in university students from the health professions. All were published between 2020 and 2022. CONCLUSIONS: The health professions careers that include the most self-medicating students are, in order, medicine, nursing and pharmacy. The drugs most used for self-medication are anxiolytics, antidepressants, and hypnotics. The most common mental health disorders for self-medication are anxiety, depression, altered sleep patterns, stress, fear, panic attacks, confusion, impotence, and anger; all as pandemic effects. Self-medication is more common as students' progress in their academic training. Factors for self-medication include problems in the socioeconomic-family environment, lack of internet access, lack of practical activities, and possible contagion.

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Introduction: Self-medication consists of selecting and using medication without a poprescription or guidance from a healthcare professional. This practice has been widely reported worldwide, which has contributed to a series of adverse health outcomes, such as delayed diagnosis, worsening of clinical conditions, drug interactions, intoxication, and adverse reactions, which tend to compromise patient safety. Objective:To analyze the prevalence of self-medication associated with toothache, the main factors associated with self-medication in dental patients, as well as outline the profile of medications used by these individuals, the preferred route of administration, and the main sources of medication.Methodology:Asystematic review was developed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Relevant articles published in the last ten years, without limitations of language were searched using the following descriptors/MeSHterms and keywords: "self-medication" and (toothache or "dental pain") not Child. Results:The initial search returned 61 manuscripts. Fourteen papers, all cross-sectional studies, were eligible for inclusion in the systematic review.Conclusions:The prevalence of self-medication for toothache ranged from 6.5% to 100.0%. Cultural and economic factors, barriers to access, the high cost of dental treatments, lack of time and money, and the perception that dental problems are not a serious problem are among the main factors associated with the practice. Regarding the drugs used, the most used classes were paracetamol, especially anti-inflammatory drugs, particularly ibuprofen, and analgesics administered orally (AU).

Introdução:A automedicação consiste na escolha e uso de medicamentos sem prescrição ou orientação de um profissional de saúde. Essa prática tem sido amplamente divulgada em todo o mundo, o que tem contribuído para uma série de desfechos adversos à saúde, como atraso no diagnóstico, piora do quadro clínico, interações medicamentosas, intoxicações e reações adversas, que tendem a comprometer a segurança do paciente. Objetivo:Analisar a prevalência da automedicação associada à dor de dente, os principais fatores associados à automedicação em pacientes odontológicos, bem como traçar o perfil dos medicamentos utilizados por esses indivíduos, a via preferencial de administração e as principais fontes de medicação. Metodologia:Uma revisão sistemática foi desenvolvida de acordo com os itens de relatório preferidos para revisões sistemáticas e meta-análises (PRISMA). Foram pesquisados artigos relevantes publicados nos últimos dez anos, sem limitação de linguagem, utilizando os seguintes descritores/MeSHterms e palavras-chave: "self-medication" e (toothache or "dental pain") não Child. Resultados:A busca inicial encontrou61manuscritos. Quatorze artigos, de delineamento transversal,foram considerados elegíveis e incluídos para a revisão.Conclusões:A prevalência de automedicação para dor de dente variou de 6,5% a 100,0%. Fatores culturais e econômicos, barreiras de acesso, alto custo dos tratamentos odontológicos, falta de tempo e dinheiro e a percepção de que os problemas odontológicos não são um problema grave estão entre os principais fatores associados à prática. Em relação aos medicamentos utilizados, as classes mais utilizadas foram o paracetamol, principalmente os anti-inflamatórios, principalmente o ibuprofeno, e os analgésicos por via oral (AU).

Introducción: La automedicación consiste en seleccionar y utilizar medicamentos sin receta ni orientación de un profesional sanitario. Esta práctica ha sido ampliamente reportada a nivel mundial, lo que ha contribuido a una serie de resultados adversos para la salud, como retraso en el diagnóstico, empeoramiento de las condiciones clínicas, interacciones medicamentosas, intoxicaciones y reacciones adversas, que tienden a comprometer la seguridad del paciente.Objetivo: Analizar la prevalencia de automedicación asociada al dolor de muelas, los principales factores asociados a la automedicación en pacientes odontológicos, así como delinear el perfil de medicamentos utilizados por estos individuos, la vía de administración preferida y las principales fuentes de medicación. Metodología: Se desarrolló una revisión sistemática de acuerdo con los Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Se buscaron artículos relevantes publicados en los últimos diez años, sin limitaciones de idioma, utilizando los siguientes descriptores/MeSHterms y palabras clave: "self-medication" y (toothache or "dental pain") not Child. Resultados: La búsqueda inicial arrojó 61 manuscritos. Catorce artículos, todos estudios transversales, fueron elegibles para su inclusión en la revisión sistemática.Conclusiones: La prevalencia de automedicación para el dolor de muelas osciló entre 6,5% y 100,0%. Los factoresculturales y económicos, las barreras de acceso, el alto costo de los tratamientos dentales, la falta de tiempo y dinero, y la percepción de que los problemas dentales no son un problema grave se encuentran entre los principales factores asociados con la práctica. En cuanto a los fármacos utilizados, las clases más utilizadas fueron el paracetamol, especialmente los antiinflamatorios, especialmente el ibuprofeno, y los analgésicos por vía oral (AU).

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Introducción: la automedicación en salud bucal es una práctica censurada por la biomedicina; sin embargo, es una actividad frecuente que sintetiza la interacción de las personas con diferentes modelos de atención a la salud, en donde se materializa la trama estructural y simbólica del campo sanitario. El objetivo de este estudio fue comprender los saberes y prácticas sobre automedicación salud bucal en Bogotá. Métodos: investigación cualitativa con enfoque etnográfico. Se utilizaron herramientas como observación participante, entrevista etnográfica y diario de campo. Se eligieron siete familias de Bogotá a partir de una muestra tipológica ideal. Resultados: existen barreras de acceso a la atención odontológica que se incrementan a través de mecanismos de segregación que se relacionan con la estructura urbana de la ciudad, barreras que motivan la utilización de diversos medicamentos frente a las dolencias. La boca tiene diversos significados. Se reconoce la caries y sus efectos, y en su prevención se usan sedas, pastas, enjuagues y cepillos, elementos que proceden de la industria farmacéutica. El padecimiento más común es la odontalgia y para tratarla se utilizan principalmente analgésicos de origen farmacéutico. Conclusiones: la automedicación en salud bucal es un proceso consciente que realizan los sujetos desde sus propios razonamientos y recursos, con el propósito de prevenir y atender sus dolencias. Esta práctica se relaciona con las representaciones sociales sobre la boca, con el acceso a los servicios de atención odontológica, y con la disposición y obtención de insumos terapéuticos.

Introduction: self-medication in oral health is a practice censured by biomedicine; however, it is a frequent activity that synthesizes the interaction of people with different models of health care, where the structural and symbolic fabric of the health field materializes. The objective was to understand the knowledge and practices on oral health self-medication in Bogota. Methods: qualitative research with ethnographic approach. Tools such as participant observation, ethnographic interview and field diary were used. Seven families from Bogota were chosen from an ideal typological sample. Results: there are barriers to access to dental care that are increased through segregation mechanisms that are related to the urban structure of the city, barriers that motivate the use of various medications in the face of ailments. The mouth has diverse meanings. Caries and its effects are recognized, and in its prevention silks, pastes, rinses and brushes are used, elements that come from the pharmaceutical industry. The most common ailment is odontalgia, and analgesics of pharmaceutical origin are mainly used to treat it. Conclusions: self-medication in oral health is a conscious process carried out by the subjects from their own reasoning and resources, to prevent and treat their ailments. This practice is related to social representations about the mouth, to access to dental care services, and to the availability and obtaining of therapeutic supplies.

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Objective: To describe the frequency of self-medication with antibiotics and its associated factors in Medellín, Colombia. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted on 778 individuals surveyed regarding sociodemographic characteristics, self-medication with antibiotics, reasons for using these drugs, and types of antibiotics used. The analysis was performed in SPSS using absolute and relative frequencies with their corresponding confidence intervals, chi-square test, and logistic regression. Results: The frequency of self-medication with antibiotics was 46% (95% CI 42.5-49.5), with 47.4% (95% CI 42.2-52.5) of the population using antibiotics without medical prescription for flu-like symptoms related to COVID-19. Amoxicillin (33.7%), azithromycin (10.9%), and cephalexin (4.7%) were the most used antibiotics. The main factors associated with self-medication were age group, zone of residence, and lack of information on the appropriate use of these medications. Conclusion: The city exhibits a high frequency of self-medication with antibiotics, predominantly in conditions where they are ineffective, such as flu-like symptoms related to COVID-19. These findings highlight the contribution of the COVID-19 pandemic to bacterial resistance through self-medication and underscore the need to implement targeted actions to control the use of these medications.

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É comum o armazenamento de medicamentos pelas famílias brasileiras, seja por uso contínuo, por sobras de um tratamento, pelo abandono ou para a automedicação. Dessa maneira o presente estudo objetiva analisar o estoque domiciliar de medicamentos da população adstrita na Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF) de Rondonópolis-MT de fevereiro a junho de 2022, visando analisar as condições de armazenamento, realizar o levantamento de todos os fármacos dos domicílios em suas diferentes formas farmacêuticas e identificar o perfil de uso dos medicamentos conforme suas indicações terapêuticas. Trata-se de um estudo transversal, de caráter exploratório, e de base descritiva. Foi aplicado um questionário por domicílio durante visita domiciliar. Sobre a amostra estudada, 83,9% (n=281) dos entrevistados era do sexo feminino, faixa etária com predomínio de pessoas acima de 40 anos, com um nível de escolaridade baixo e renda familiar mais baixa. Dos participantes da pesquisa, 97,6% possuíam farmácia caseira. Esses medicamentos eram armazenados principalmente na cozinha, no quarto e na sala. As classes terapêuticas mais numerosas foram: analgésicos (14,2%), AINEs (8,9%) e anti-hipertensivos (7,7%). A quantidade de medicamentos armazenados foi significativamente maior entre praticantes de automedicação e participantes sem conhecimento adequado sobre o uso dos medicamentos, revelando a necessidade do farmacêutico como promotor de ações de educação em saúde sobre uso racional de medicamentos.

It is common for Brazilian families to store medications, whether for continuous use, leftover from treatment, due to abandonment, or for self-medication. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the home drug storage of the population attached to the Family Health Strategy (FHS) in Rondonópolis-MT from February to June 2022, to assess storage conditions, conduct a survey of all pharmaceuticals in the households in their different pharmaceutical forms, and identify the medication use profile according to their therapeutic indications. This was a cross-sectional, exploratory, descriptive-based study. A questionnaire was administered to each household during home visits. Regarding the study sample, 83.9% (n=281) of the respondents were female, predominantly over 40 years old, with a low level of education and lower family income. Of the participants, 97.6% had home pharmacies. These medications were primarily stored in kitchens, bedrooms, and living rooms. The most numerous therapeutic classes were analgesics (14.2%), NSAIDs (8.9%), and antihypertensive drugs (7.7%). The quantity of stored medications was significantly higher among those practicing self-medication and participants with inadequate knowledge about medication use, revealing the need for pharmacists as promoters of health education actions on rational drug use.

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BACKGROUND: The rapid spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the early phase of the pandemic led to an unprecedented global health crisis. Various factors have influenced self-medication practices among the general population and unsubstantiated prescribing practices among healthcare professionals. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe trends in the purchase and sale of medicines during the COVID-19 pandemic period (2020-2022) in Ecuador, by comparing them with pre-pandemic periods. METHODS: In this study, a cross-sectional design was employed to conduct a comprehensive analysis of 28 pharmacological groups, categorized according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification (ATC). Utilizing an integrated drug consumption database, the study examined physician prescribing data, medicine usage, and spending levels in Ecuador during the COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis involved computing absolute differences in monthly resolution, calculating excessive expenditure in comparison to previous yearly averages, and using Defined Daily Dose (DDD) methodology for internationally comparable results. Furthermore, a correlation analysis was performed to investigate potential associations between prescribed and consumed medicines and the number of new cases and deaths. RESULTS: In Ecuador, the average yearly expenditure among these groups prior to the pandemic (2017-2019) amounted to $150,646,206 USD, whereas during 2020 and 2021, the same groups represented a total expenditure of $228,327,210, reflecting a significant increase. The excess expenditure during this period reached 51.4%, equivalent to $77,681,004 USD. Notably, 13% of this expenditure consisted of Over the Counter (OTC) Medicines. The study also identified a remarkable surge in sales of ivermectin, which increased by 2,057%, and hydroxychloroquine, which increased by 171%, as measured by DDD. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the substantial consumption of medicines by the population in Ecuador during the pandemic. It is concerning that many medications were sold without proven therapeutic indications, indicating that misinformation and desperation may have led to improper prescribing by physicians and patients resorting to ineffective drugs. Moreover, since the sale of these therapeutic drugs requires a prescription, poor regulation, and a lack of control within pharmacies likely contributed to such practices.

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INTRODUCTION: French Guiana is a French territory bordering Brazil and Suriname where the COVID-19 pandemic has severely strained the French Guianese health system. The people working on illegal gold mining sites in French Guiana, also known as garimpeiros, are mainly of Brazilian origin. Their health conditions are precarious, they live under the radar of the surveillance system and therefore, assessment of their health is quite challenging.. The objective of this study was to describe their knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding COVID-19 and vaccination against this infection. METHODS: We conducted an international multicenter cross-sectional survey between 1 March 2022 and 30 April 2022 in French Guiana and Suriname, using a structured questionnaire. RESULTS: Eighty persons were included, 95.0% of whom were Brazilian. Most had good general knowledge of COVID-19. Antibiotic prophylaxis had been practiced by 10.0% of participants. Forty-three people thought they had been infected with COVID-19 (53.8%). Self-medication was frequent, often with antibiotics (32.6%, mostlychloroquine, ivermectin or azithromycin) and most had not consulted a physician for symptoms of COVID-19. A majority (62.5%) had received at least one dose of vaccine. Those who were ever tested for COVID-19 were the most likely to be vaccinated (PR = 1.98, p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Garimpeiros have a good level of knowledge about COVID-19 but the high consumption of antibiotics raises concerns about the selection of resistant bacteria. The vaccination rate was higher than that of the Guianese population. The most vaccinated individuals were those who had already taken a COVID test suggesting that these individuals had more exposure to the disease, were more health conscious, or had easier access to health centers.

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Introduction: The first COVID-19 wave in Ecuador started in March 2020 and extended until November. Several types of drugs have been proposed as a potential treatment during this period, and some affected people have self-medicated. Method: A retrospective study was conducted with 10,175 individuals who underwent RT-PCR tests for SARS-CoV-2 from July to November 2020. We compared the number of positive and negative cases in Ecuador with symptoms and drug consumption. The Chi-square test of independence compared clinical and demographic data and PCR test results. Odds ratios analyzed drug consumption dynamics. Results: Of 10,175 cases, 570 were positive for COVID-19, while 9,605 were negative. In positive cases, there was no association between the RT-PCR result and sex, age, or comorbidities. When considering demographic data, Cotopaxi and Napo had the highest rates of positive cases (25.7% and 18.8%, respectively). Manabí, Santa Elena, and Guayas regions had fewer than 10% positive cases. The Drug consumption dynamic analysis showed that negative COVID-19 cases presented higher drug consumption than positive cases. In both groups, the most consumed medication was acetaminophen. Acetaminophen and Antihistamines had higher odds of consumption in positive PCR cases than in negative. Symptoms like fever and cough were more related to positive RT-PCR results. Conclusion: The first COVID-19 wave in Ecuador has affected the provinces differently. At a national level, the consumption of drugs has been highly associated with self-medication.

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Self-medication is identified by the consumption of medications without a prescription or guidance from a qualified prescribing professional. This study estimated the prevalence, profile, and associated factors with self-medication during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. A cross-sectional study was conducted through a household survey in the Alegre city, from November to December 2021. Descriptive analysis was performed for the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the interviewees. Poisson regression with robust variance was used to identify the association of sociodemographic and clinical variables with self-medication. A total of 654 people were interviewed, of whom 69.4% were self-medicating. The younger age group (PR = 1.13; 95% CI = 1.01-1.26), female gender (PR = 1.19; 95% CI = 1.04-1.37), consumption of alcoholic beverages (PR = 1.13; 95% CI = 1.01-1.25), and problems with adherence to pharmacological treatment (PR = 1.15; 95% CI = 1.04-1.28) were associated with self-medication, while the occurrence of polypharmacy (PR = 0.80; 95% CI = 0.68-0.95) was a protective factor for self-medication. Self-medication was directly related to over-the-counter drugs, with analgesics dipyrone and paracetamol being the most commonly used. Self-medication consumption of prescription drugs, including those under special control, was identified to a lesser extent.

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La medicalización de los servicios de salud y la publicidad masiva de medicamentos en la automedicación y la polifarmacia son temas relevantes de interés mundial. Se encuentran vinculados a la calidad de vida, el deterioro de la salud, la funcionalidad, la autonomía y los actuales modelos económicos y de salud pública. Estos mal manejados perpetúan un círculo perjudicial que trasciende las políticas públicas, las naciones y la sociedad en su conjunto. Ambos modifican el pronóstico de las enfermedades de base (transmisibles o no transmisibles), las comorbilidades, y los procesos farmacocinéticos y farmacodinámicos, cambian su índice terapéutico, y su relación entre las concentraciones para producir efectos terapéuticos o tóxicos. Ejemplos como la insuficiencia renal atribuida al consumo frecuente de antiinflamatorios no esteroideos y la suspensión de metformina en personas adultas mayores con un filtrado glomerular < 30 ml/min o la presencia de comorbilidades(AU)

The medicalization of health services and the massive advertising of drugs in self-medication and polypharmacy are relevant issues of global interest. They are linked to the quality of life, deterioration of health and current autonomy of the economic and public health models. The medicalization of poorly managed services perpetuates a harmful circle that transcends public policies, modifying the prognosis of underlying communicable and non-communicable diseases, comorbidities, and pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes. As a result of these problems, alterations appear in the therapeutic index and its relationship between concentrations to produce therapeutic or toxic effects. This global problem of polypharmacy in public health mainly affects the elderly(A)

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