Sex--differences on self-medication in Spain.
OBJECTIVE
This study mainly aimed at describing the factors associated with self-medicated consumption of drugs in Spain from a gender perspective.


METHODS
Descriptive, cross-sectional study covering the Spanish adult population, using data drawn from the 2006 and 2007 Spanish National Health Survey (SNHS). A total of 20,738 subjects were analyzed. The independent variables were sociodemographic, lifestyle, 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. Two models were generated, one for female and one for male.


RESULTS
The 20.17% of all Spaniards indulge in self-medication. The prevalence of self-medication was 16.93% (2715) for women and 14.46% (1469) for men (p<0.05). The variables that were independently and significantly associated with a greater probability of self-medicated consumption in women were: lower age; consumption of alcohol; smoking habit. Among men, self-medication is associated with nationality (immigrants were more likely to self-medicate), income, and alcohol consumption.


CONCLUSIONS
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, are related to a higher likelihood of self-medication.
Carrasco-Garrido
Pilar
P
Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Rey Juan Carlos University, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain. pilar.carrasco@urjc.es
Hernández-Barrera
Valentín
V
López de Andrés
Ana
A
Jiménez-Trujillo
Isabel
I
Jiménez-García
Rodrigo
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D015995:Prevalence; D012651:Self Medication / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013030:Spain; D055815:Young Adult