Self-medication without a prescription in people with chronic non-communicable diseases aged 30 to 60 at CESFAM La Granja in Santiago, Chile 2022-23

Abstract

Introduction: The WHO identifies self-medication as a health problem, corresponding to a common behaviour with high prevalence that poses risks to those who engage in it irresponsibly. Objective: To describe the characteristics of self-medication with non-prescription drugs in people with chronic non-communicable diseases, aged between 30 and 60, registered at the La Granja Family Health Centre in Santiago in 2023. Methodology: Quantitative, observational and descriptive cross-sectional research. A face-to-face survey was conducted with 100 users during April and May, after they had signed an informed consent form. An exploratory, descriptive and stratified analysis was performed for each specific objective. Results: All 100 participants surveyed reported self-medicating without a medical prescription, mainly hypertensive (31%) and diabetic (20%) individuals, who reported higher consumption of analgesics/antipyretics (43.4%) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (20%). The main symptoms were pain (35.9%) and flu (30.8%), with a frequency of 2-3 times per month in 45% of cases. Discussion: Education and prevention are key to addressing irresponsible self-medication, but changes in regulations and medical care are needed to bring about real change in people who, faced with the need to improve their health and vulnerable social situation, seek quick and effective solutions. Conclusion: The indiscriminate use of analgesics and family recommendations demonstrate the complexity of the problem. The study describes self-medication behaviour in the population of La Granja, revealing a complex problem associated with the socio-demographic context of the participants.