Prevalencia y características de la automedicación en estudiantes de la carrera de enfermería de la Universidad de Cuenca, 2023-2024

In recent years, self-medication has experienced a global increase, constituting a significant public health problem. Previous studies have pointed out a greater prevalence of this practice among students and health professionals, underlining the importance of raising awareness among this population, which serves as an example for society. The present study, carried out at the University of Cuenca during the period 2023-2024, had the objectives of determining the prevalence and characteristics of self-medication in Nursing students. A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out, selecting 242 second, fourth and sixth cycle students through a finite sample. The Questionnaire to Measure Self-Medication (CAuM-ovr) was applied with adaptations for Ecuadorian conditions. The results revealed a high prevalence of self-medication, reaching 88.84%, being more common in male students and those in the sixth cycle. The average age was 20 years. The symptoms that had the most influence were flu or cold and pain, especially headache. The perceived mildness of the symptoms motivated this practice, with analgesics and flu medications being the most commonly used medications. Pharmacies were the main place of acquisition, and the predominant source of information was the doctor who had previously prescribed medications for similar symptoms. The high prevalence of self-medication among nursing students, especially those over 23 years of age, raises concern. The combined practice is observed in situations of cold and some type of pain, where students resort to analgesics/anti-inflammatories that are purchased in pharmacies without a prescription.