Between knowledge and risk: prevalence and patterns of self-medication among medical students in northern Brazil

Abstract

Self-medication is a widely prevalent practice and represents an important public health challenge, particularly among health sciences students. This study aimed to describe the prevalence and patterns of self-medication among medical students at a university in northern Brazil. This was a cross-sectional, quantitative, descriptive-analytical study conducted with 216 students. Data collection was performed using a self-administered, anonymous questionnaire adapted from a previously validated instrument. The investigated variables included frequency of self-medication, motivating factors, drug classes used, sources of advice, and knowledge regarding risks and adverse effects. The majority of participants were female (70.8%). Purchase of medications without a prescription was reported by 94.4% of students, and 80.6% reported seeking advice from pharmacists or pharmacy attendants. Analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs were the most frequently used drug classes. Regarding knowledge of adverse effects, 59.7% reported knowing most of them, while only 12.5% claimed to know all of them. A high prevalence of self-medication was observed among the evaluated students, primarily associated with prior familiarity with medications, lack of time for medical consultations, and the perception of sufficient pharmacological knowledge. The results reinforce the need for educational strategies during medical training focused on rational medication use.