Automedicação em população urbana no município de Coari-Amazonas

Abstract

Introduction: Self-medication is a public health problem that affects diferente populations in diferent regions of the word, and can impacto n intoxications, drug interactions, microbialresistance and unnecessary health costs. Objective: To analyzethe practice of self-medication and associated factors among the urban population of the municipality of Coari - Amazonas.Method: This is a population based cross-sectional study, which is being developed with adults (≥ 18 years old), living in the urban area of Coari - Amazonas. Data collection was carried out in October and november 2021, through the application of a questionnaire containing socioeconomic and demographic information, access to health services, self-reported illnesses,medication consumption, smoking habits and alcohol consumption. Data analysis is being carried out using descriptive statistics (absolute and relative frequencies), whilethe bivariate analyzes of categorical variables will be carried out using the Chi-squareor Fisher's exact test, and for numerical variables using Student's t tests or Wilcoxon- Mann-Whitney. The dependent variable will be analyzed using multivariate logistic regression, following the significance level (p<0.05) in the adjustment of variables. TheStudy was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Amazonas, Opinion nº 4,668,564. Results: 394 indi viduals participated in the study, the majority of whom were female (70.6%), married (32%), catholic (55.3%), aged between 18 and 49 years old (64.0%). The prevalence of self-medication was 79.4%, with the main health problems treated by self-medication being respiratory prob lems (24.8%), followed by chronic diseases (21.2%). Analgesics (67.5%) were the medicines most used in self-medication, followed by anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic products (9.6%). Conclusion: According to the findings, the urban population of Coari frequently uses over-the-counter medications to relieve symptoms, highlighting the need for discussions and measures regarding the rational use of medications.