Predictive factors of self-medicated drug use among the Spanish adult population.
OBJECTIVE
Our study aimed at describing the prevalence of self-medicated drug use among the Spanish adult population and to identify the predictive factors of such self-medication in Spain.


METHODS
Descriptive, cross-sectional study covering the Spanish adult population, using data drawn from the 2003 Spanish National Health Survey (ENSS). A total of 19 514 subjects were analysed. The independent variables were socio-demographic and health-related, and the dependent variable was self-medicated drug use. Using logistic multivariate regression models we have estimated the independent effect of each of these variables on the self-medicated consumption.


RESULTS
The 18.1% of all Spaniards indulge in self-medication. Our study shows that 45% of all cold and influenza medication and 39.4% of analgesics consumed by the population involve self-medication. It should be stressed here that 17.7% of persons who took antibiotics did so in the form of self-medication. The variables that were independently and significantly associated with a greater probability of self-medicated consumption were: sex; lower age; higher educational level; consumption of alcohol; smoking habit; use of alternative medical products; absence of chronic disease and a positive perception of health.


CONCLUSIONS
In Spain, the prevalence of self-medicated drug use is higher in women than men. In our population, the influence of unhealthy lifestyles, such as alcohol and tobacco consumption, is related to a higher likelihood of self-medication.
Carrasco-Garrido
P
P
Unidad de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain. pilar.carrasco@urjc.es
Jiménez-García
R
R
Barrera
V Hernández
VH
Gil de Miguel
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003139:Common Cold / Q000188:drug therapy; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000188:drug therapy; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012651:Self Medication / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking; D013030:Spain
D000700:Analgesics; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents