Profile of drug consumption by undergraduates in a university of the North Catharinian Plateau

Abstract

Introduction: According to the World Health Organization, 2002, the morbidity and mortality caused by pharmaceutical products are health problems. Objective: This study identified the habit of using medications among students at a University of Planalto Norte Catarinense, outlining consumption and its reasons, to obtain subsidies in the elaboration of the promotion of the rational use of medications. Methodology: The study sought to characterize students quantitatively, it was a descriptive research, emphasizing the description of medication consumption, according to the perspective of this practice as a public health problem, aiming to characterize the profile of the drugs consumed and the profile of the associated factors. Results and discussions: 234 questionnaires were applied, 61% of which were female. The average age was 17-32 years. Of the interviewees, most of them state that they do not currently have any health problems. However, the data reveal that 57.26% use some medication, and that 36.32% do it daily, with the analgesic class being the most consumed. 14.10% of respondents feel discouraged before consuming the medication. Conclusion: the profile of medication consumption alerts to the practice of self-medication, triggering the need to carry out strategies to promote the rational use of medications.

Keywords: Use of medicines. College students. Self-medication. Emotions.