Factores relacionados con la prevalencia de automedicación en estudiantes de medicina de la Universidad de Santander lapso 2023-2024

Abstract

Self-medication has become a growing public health problem, especially in the medical student population. This study examines the prevalence, causes, and behaviors associated with self-medication among medical students at the University of Santander, Campus Cúcuta, during 2023-2024. objective: To assess the prevalence, motives, and behaviors of self-medication in medical students, identifying the most used medications and the reasons behind this practice. methodology: A descriptive study was conducted using anonymous online surveys to ensure privacy and encourage honest responses. The sample included students from all semesters, analyzing sociodemographic variables (sex, age, semester, stratum) and the frequency of self-medication. Frequency tables and chi-square tests were applied to explore significant associations between categorical variables and self-medication behavior, in addition to calculating 95% confidence intervals (CI) to assess the accuracy of the estimates. results: The prevalence of self-medication was 82.3%, increasing to 95.5% in clinical semesters and decreasing to 71.8% in basic semesters. The most frequent medications were analgesics (92%), flu medicines (64.4%), and antibiotics (23.3%). 61.3% self-medicate at least once a month, with the main reasons being confidence in their medical training and the perception that consultation is not always necessary. conclusions: The high prevalence of self-medication in medical students is worrying. It is essential to implement educational strategies that promote the responsible use of medications and reduce the associated risks.