Self-medication among Finnish young men in the beginning of common military service.
OBJECTIVE
Little is known about self-medication in adolescent and young adult males, particularly in ones exposed to increased stress. The objective of this article is to analyze self-medication and its predictors in young Finnish men at entry into common military service.


METHODS
The responding men (n = 857) from nine brigades anonymously completed a self-administered questionnaire during the first conscription days before active military training in July 1999. The effect of pre-disposing, need and health behavior variables on self-medication was assessed using Andersen et al. theoretical health care utilization model.


RESULTS
In the 2 weeks preceding the survey, 65% of the men reported self-medication. Self-medication for pain or common cold symptoms was reported by 54% while 8% had taken caffeine tablets or other stimulants. Multivariate analysis on overall self-medication showed an association with brigade and using health services before the conscription. Along with pre-disposing variables, need variables were associated with self-medication for pain or common cold symptoms and self-medication with stimulants. Stimulant use was also associated with health behaviors such as trial with illegal drugs during lifetime.


CONCLUSIONS
Young men frequently self-medicate at the initial stage of conscription that may pose them at an increased risk for adverse effects of medicines or other medical problems. The military and civilian primary health care providers should discuss the proper use of self-medication with young men.
Linden
Kari
K
Research Institute of Military Medicine, Central Military Hospital, Finnish Defence Forces, Helsinki, Finland. kari.linden@helsinki.fi
Jormanainen
Vesa
V
Swigonski
Nancy L
NL
Pietilä
Kirsi
K
D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy; D002110:Caffeine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003139:Common Cold / Q000188:drug therapy; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005387:Finland; D006261:Headache / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods; D012651:Self Medication / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D013607:Tablets; D013997:Time Factors
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D013607:Tablets; D002110:Caffeine