Associated factors to self-medication with drugs related to COVID-19 in health science students from a peruvian city

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the factors associated with self-medication with drugs related to COVID-19 in health sciences students. Materials and methods: Observational, analytical, cross-sectional study in students of the health sciences of Tacna-Peru. Through a virtual survey, socio-educational variables, practices, self-medication characteristics and exposure to COVID-19 were recognized. The result was self-medication in the last 3 months with at least 1 in 14 drugs. The prevalence ratios were calculated using generalized linear models. Results: Of the 718 students, 51.3% live on self-medication. 62.2% self-medicated because they presented the highest number of respiratory symptoms and the drugs used more antipyretics, analgesics and corticosteroids. Students with a sentimental partner (PR: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.16-1.53), from a private university (PR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.10- 1.69), that the priests in his family have a picnic a few times (PR: 2.34, 95% CI: 1.58-3.47) and in which a program sized for COVID-19 (PR : 1.47, 95% CI: 1.14-1.89). Conclusion: We found a high prevalence of self-medication. Most of them have self-medication that has a sentimental partner, from a private university, that their priests or relatives are on selfpicnic and that they have a size problem due to COVID-19, which they could use to promote the rational use of medications.