Self-prescription practices in recent Latino immigrants.
OBJECTIVE
Self-prescription involves the purchase and use of restricted medications without medical advice. Although common in Central and South American countries, little is known about this practice among Latino immigrants in the United States. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to explore how Latino immigrants obtain and use prescription medications without accessing the formal health care system.


METHODS
This exploratory descriptive study used focus groups to gain an understanding of the use of prescription medications without medical care.


METHODS
Three focus group discussions were held with 19 adult Latino immigrants who were new residents in the United States, and did not have health insurance; most were undocumented.


RESULTS
Analysis of the data revealed 4 major themes: (a) health care barriers, (b) cultural norms, (c) self-care, and (d) self-prescription.


CONCLUSIONS
The data indicate that this population experiences significant barriers to accessing health care, forcing them to seek treatment alternatives including the purchase and use of drugs manufactured in Mexico. There are many public health and safety concerns related to self-prescription practices. Nurses need to be aware of the barriers to health care that lead to these potentially dangerous medication practices, and to recognize and understand self-prescription.
Coffman
Maren J
MJ
School of Nursing, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223-0001, USA. mjcoffma@uncc.edu
Shobe
Marcia A
MA
O'Connell
Beth
B
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003144:Communication Barriers; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017057:Medically Uninsured; D008875:Middle Aged; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology*; D012651:Self Medication / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States