LIMA, J. M. S.; LIMA, José Marcos da Silva.
Resumen:
This work aims to highlight and discuss the data described in the literature about self medication among university students, as well as to analyze the factors that contribute to this
practice. In this study, a data collection was carried out in PubMed®, Google Acadêmico®,
Latin American Literature in Health Sciences and Science Direct, based on the descriptors: self medication and students. After refining the search and applying the inclusion criteria, 23 articles
that referred to the theme of this study were compiled in this review. It was observed that 51.7%
of students in health courses use drugs without a prescription, even though they have full
knowledge of the risks that this practice can bring to health, the prevalence of self-medication
among university students ranged from 36.1% to 99.5%. Among the main classes of drugs used,
anti-inflammatory drugs stood out 23,3% and analgesics 31,4%. The factors that are linked to
the self-medication practice among university students are the accessibility to purchase
medications without medical prescription, the delay in the attendance of the public health
system, the high values of private consultations and the great availability of information
available on the internet. This self-medication behavior can trigger chronic pain incidences.
Since the use of a specific medication on a frequent basis, can make its effect is no longer
perceived, causing the individual to ingest higher doses. Therefore, it is concluded that it is
necessary to implement educational methods in universities, especially among academics in
health courses. Using strategies that make them aware and create an approach on the rational
use of medicines in transversal disciplines throughout the graduation.