Self-medication practices in riverside communities in the Brazilian Amazon Rainforest / Prácticas de automedicación en las comunidades de ribereña en la Amazonía brasileña / Práticas de automedicação em comunidades ribeirinhas na Amazônia brasileira

ABSTRACT Objectives: to analyze the practice of self-medication and the associated factors in the riverside population of the Middle Solimões river region - Amazon rainforest. Methods: a cross-sectional population-based study conducted between April and July 2015, through interviews at home. Results: the prevalence of self-medication among the riverside population was 76.3%. Analgesics and antibacterials were the main therapeutic classes used in self-medication. Self-medication proved to be associated with the male gender, young people, not having sought the health service in the last month, longer commuting from the community to the urban area and the habit of consuming allopathic medicines on their own. Conclusions: self-medication among the riverside population of Coari - Amazon may reflect the need to seek self-care by people, with the use of allopathic medicines without prescription, mainly due to the restricted access to health services.

RESUMEN Objetivos: analizar la práctica de la automedicación y los factores asociados en la población ribereña de la región de Solimões Medio - Amazonas. Métodos: estudio transversal basado en la población realizado entre abril y julio de 2015, a través de entrevistas en el hogar. Resultados: la prevalencia de la automedicación entre los habitantes de la ribera fue del 76,3%. Los analgésicos y los antibacterianos fueron las principales clases terapéuticas utilizadas en la automedicación. Se demostró que la automedicación estaba asociada con el género masculino, los jóvenes, que no habían buscado el servicio de salud en el último mes, el mayor tiempo de viaje al área urbana y el hábito de consumir medicamentos alopáticos por su cuenta. Conclusiones: automedicación entre la población ribereña de Coari - Amazonas puede reflejar la necesidad de buscar el autocuidado de las personas, con el uso de medicamentos alopáticos sin receta, principalmente debido al acceso restringido a los servicios de salud.

RESUMO Objetivos: analisar a prática de automedicação e os fatores associados na população ribeirinha da região do Médio Solimões - Amazonas. Métodos: estudo transversal de base populacional realizado entre abril a julho de 2015, por meio de entrevistas em domicílio. Resultados: a prevalência da automedicação entre os ribeirinhos foi de 76,3%. Analgésicos e antibacterianos foram as principais classes terapêuticas consumidas na prática de automedicação. A automedicação mostrou-se associada ao sexo masculino, jovens, não ter procurado pelo serviço de saúde no último mês, maior tempo de deslocamento da comunidade à zona urbana e o hábito de consumo de medicamentos alopáticos por conta própria. Conclusões: a automedicação entre a população ribeirinha de Coari - Amazonas pode refletir a necessidade de busca do autocuidado pelas pessoas, com o uso de medicamentos alopáticos sem prescrição, sobretudo decorrente do restrito acesso aos serviços de saúde.

Antibiotic Self-Medication for Oral Conditions: Characteristics and Associated Factors

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and contributing factors of antibiotic selfmedication for oral conditions in dental patients. Material and Methods: A questionnaire was distributed to 501 patients attending Taibah University Dental College and Hospital, Al Madinah, Saudi Arabia during late 2016. Questions were on socio-demographic characteristics, and pattern of antibiotic self-medication for oral disease. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS software version 21. Statistical significance level was set at p ≤.05. Results: Age range was 15-64 years (29.08±9.32 years) with 297 females (59.3%) and 204 males (40.7%). 135 patients (27%) self-medicated with antibiotics for oral disease. This practice was statistically significantly associated with the older adults (p=0.001), lack of medical or dental insurance (p=0.014 and 0.007, respectively), and poor dental attendance (p=0.021). A number of 26 (25.7%) perceived analgesics as antibiotics. Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid was the most commonly cited antibiotic by 18 patients (17.8%). Dental pain was the most frequently reported oral condition. Pharmacists were the most common source for antibiotic prescription cited by 58 (57.4%). Conclusion: Antibiotic self-medication for oral disease is associated with the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics for non-indicated clinical oral conditions. The practice was encouraged by lenient behavior of pharmacists, lack of health insurance, and poor dental attendance.

Oral Hygiene: Knowledge and Practices of Students in Three Quranic Schools in Koutiala, Mali

Objective: To evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices on oral hygiene (OH) of students of three Quranic schools of Koutiala, Mali. Material and Methods: It was carried out a descriptive prospective study with 300 students in three Quranic schools in the city of Koutiala, Mali. The data analyzed with the Epi Info 3.5.4 software. Results: The male sex was the most represented with 57.7% and the sex ratio = 0.73. The most represented age group was 8-12 with 52% with an average age of 17 years and minimum and maximum age of was 8 and 26 years. It was observed that 98.3% of students had a notion of knowledge about oral hygiene and this information was given by parents / elders in 60% of cases. They claimed that people who do not brush their teeth properly are the most likely to get tooth decay in 93.3% of cases. Regarding dental caries, 61.3% of students said that caries is transmitted by lack of oral hygiene; 33.3% of students said that using toothbrushes and having good oral hygiene are ways to avoid oral diseases. It was thought in 93.3% of cases that a good oral hygiene prevents oral diseases. The students brushed their teeth every day (98%) and they had a consultation with the dental surgeon in 8.7% of the cases. Conclusion: This study shows that students had knowledge of oral hygiene and preventive measures. Efforts should be made to promote, prevent, screen and manage oral diseases in Quranic schools while involving parents in the processes.

Factores que influyen en la automedicación del personal de enfermería a nivel técnico y de estudiantes / Factors influencing self medication nursing staff and students technical level

La automedicación, es “el consumo de medicamentos, hierbas y remedios caseros por iniciativa o consejo de otra persona, sin consultar al médico”, considerada también como un fenómeno que se ha incrementado a través del tiempo, convirtiéndose en un serio problema de salud pública. En México no existen estudios o publicaciones que permitan valorar la real magnitud de esta práctica en la población. Objetivo: Conocer los factores que influyen en la automedicación del personal de enfermería a nivel técnico y estudiantes del Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía.

Self-medication, is “the use of drugs, herbs and home remedies or advice on the initiative of another person, without consulting a doctor”, also regarded as a phenomenon that has been increasing over time, becoming a serious public health problem. In Mexico, there are no studies or publications to assess the real magnitude of this practice in the population. Objective: Understanding the factors that influence self-medication nursing staff technical level, and students of the National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery.

Estoque doméstico e uso de medicamentos em uma população cadastrada na estratégia saúde da família no Brasil / Household storage and use of medications in a population served by the family health strategy in Brazil

OBJETIVO: Identificar domicílios atendidos pela estratégia saúde da família (ESF) que possuíam estoque de medicamentos, avaliar as condições de armazenamento e conhecer o modo de uso dos medicamentos. MÉTODOS: O estudo foi conduzido em um município do Estado de São Paulo que possui duas unidades da ESF, com 1 867 domicílios cadastrados; a amostra foi definida por meio de sorteio aleatório estratificado. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas de julho a outubro de 2008. RESULTADOS: Foi entrevistado um morador em cada um dos 280 domicílios visitados. Foram encontrados medicamentos em 255 domicílios (91,1 por cento). Dos 326 locais de guarda de medicamentos, 217 (75,8 por cento) eram inadequados (de fácil acesso a crianças ou expostos a umidade, luz). Das 2 578 especialidades farmacêuticas encontradas, 2 059 (79,9 por cento) tinham algum problema de segurança ou identificação, o que foi observado em 236 (84,3 por cento) domicílios. Dos 280 entrevistados, 179 (63,9 por cento) eram usuários de medicamentos. Desses, 24 estavam se automedicando, apenas um com medicamento que não exigia prescrição. Somente 44 usuários tinham a prescrição do medicamento. O medicamento era usado de forma diferente da prescrição por 21 entrevistados, por desacordo posológico ou interrupção do tratamento. CONCLUSÕES: A maioria dos domicílios estudados armazenava os medicamentos de forma inadequada. As discordâncias em relação às orientações médicas prescritas podem levar a resultados negativos, como ineficácia por uso de doses abaixo do prescrito, intoxicações por doses acima do prescrito, reações adversas e não adesão terapêutica.

OBJECTIVE: To identify families served by the family health strategy (FHS) storing medicines at home, to evaluate storage conditions, and to investigate medicine use practices. METHODS: The study was conducted in a municipality in the state of São Paulo with two FHS units serving 1 867 households. The sample was selected by means of stratified random sampling. Data collection was conducted through semistructured interviews from July to October 2008. RESULTS: One resident was interviewed in each of the 280 households visited. Medicines were found in 255 households (91.1 percent). Of 326 storage locations, 217 (75.8 percent) were inadequate (easily accessible to children or exposed to moisture, light). Of the 2 578 medicines identified, 2 059 medicines (79.9 percent) in 236 (84.3 percent) households had safety or identification problems. Of the 280 respondents, 179 (63.9 percent) used medications. Of these, 24 were self-medicating, only one with an over-the-counter drug. Only 44 users had the prescription for their medication, and 21 did not follow the prescription in terms of dosage or had interrupted the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Non-adherence to recommended treatment can lead to negative outcomes, such as inefficiency (using dosages lower than prescribed), poisoning (using dosages higher than prescribed), and other adverse reactions.

Responsible self-medication: review of the process of pharmaceutical attendance: [review] / Responsável pela auto-medicação: análise do processo de atendimento farmacêutico: [revisão]

This article presents a review, based on a qualitative study, of pharmaceutical orientation in the management of minor illness. Action research methodology was used by a group of faculty members responsible for the community pharmacy internship and by postgraduates in clinical pharmacy, to carry out the study with the objective to present a standard service for this kind of procedure. The interaction with the individual starts with a welcoming reception, at which point the pharmacist should be receptive and show empathy. Subsequently, data from the history of the patient are collected to obtain relevant information. Based on this information, the pharmacist must develop a line of clinical reasoning and make a decision, taking the context of the patient into account. After this analysis, the most appropriate intervention is performed. This intervention could indicate the need for referral to another health professional, the use of a non-pharmacological therapy or the provision of sound advice on medicines available without prescription. The next step is monitoring the patient in order to identify the effectiveness and safety of treatment. The standardization process of pharmaceutical attendance in the management of minor disorders contributes to the rational use of medicines.

A reflexão apresentada neste artigo representa um estudo de abordagem qualitativa baseada na pesquisa-ação da prática do atendimento farmacêutico no manejo de transtornos menores, realizada pelo grupo de professores do Estágio em Farmácia Comunitária e por farmacêuticos pós-graduados em Farmácia Clínica, com o objetivo de realizar uma proposta de atendimento padrão para este tipo de procedimento. A interação com o indivíduo é iniciada pelo acolhimento, momento no qual o farmacêutico deve ser receptivo e empático. A seguir, se executa a coleta de dados sobre a história do paciente, para obtenção de informações relevantes. Com base nas informações, o farmacêutico deve desenvolver um raciocínio clínico e tomar uma decisão, levando em consideração o contexto do paciente. Após esta análise é realizada a intervenção mais adequada ou o conjunto dessas que podem ser: procurar outro profissional de saúde, utilizar uma terapia não-farmacológica ou auxiliar na escolha de um medicamento de venda livre. O próximo passo é o acompanhamento do paciente com vistas a identificar a efetividade e segurança do tratamento. A padronização do processo de atendimento farmacêutico no manejo de transtornos menores, contribui para o uso racional de medicamentos.

Farmacovigilancia y hábitos de consumo de medicamentos en los estudiantes de la Escuela de Enfermería de la Universidad Central de Venezuela / Pharmacovigilance and drug use rabits in the students of the nursing school of the Central University of Venezuela

Se realizó un estudio de tipo descriptivo transversal en 657 estudiantes de enfermería de la UCV, mediante dos instrumentos aprobados por el Centro de Vigilancia Farmacológica de la Escuela. Se determinaron los eventos adversos (EA) más frecuentes asociados al uso de fármacos. Se evaluaron los hábitos de consumo de medicamentos, incluyendo los grupos farmacológicos de mayor uso, la automedicación y la preferencia de compra ante los medicamentos de marca registrada vs. los genéricos. Los resultados revelan que el 68,9 por ciento de los estudiantes encuestados han experimentado algún EA relacionado al consumo de medicamentos, siendo de tipo alérgico un 8,9 por ciento. en cuanto al hábito de consumo de fármacos, el 81 por ciento de los estudiantes practica la automedicación y el 78 por ciento prefiere consumir genéricos vs. los de marca registrada. Se puede concluir que la automedicación está muy extendida entre los estudiantes encuestados, corriendo el riesgo que presentan los EA y el uso inadecuado de los fármacos

Automedicación en alumnos del 3er y 4to curso de las Escuelas de Enfermería y Trabajo Social del Instituto "Dr. Andrés Barbero" de la Universidad Nacional de Asunción

Estudio descriptivo de una muestra de 158 estudiantes de las Escuelas de Enfermería y Trabajo Social del Instituto "Dr. Andrés Barbero" de la Universidad Nacional de Asunción, sobre el porcentaje de automedicación existente entre los estudiantes. Describe el motivo que los induce a automedicarse. Presenta factores determinantes a la hora de utilizar los fármacos