title: The prevalence and characterization of self-medication for obtaining pain relief among undergraduate nursing students.
abstract: This study investigates the prevalence of self-medication among undergraduate nursing students seeking to relieve pain and characterizes the pain and relief obtained through the used medication. This epidemiological and cross-sectional study was carried out with 211 nursing students from a public university in Goiás, GO, Brazil. A numerical scale (0-10) measured pain intensity and relief. The prevalence of self-medication was 38.8%. The source and main determining factor of this practice were the student him/herself (54.1%) and lack of time to go to a doctor (50%), respectively. The most frequently used analgesic was dipyrone (59.8%) and pain relief was classified as good (Md=8.5;Max=10;Min=0). The prevalence of self-medication was higher than that observed in similar studies. Many students reported that relief obtained through self-medication was good, a fact that can delay the clarification of a diagnosis and its appropriate treatment.
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de Goiás, GO, Brazil.
authors.forename: Layz Alves Ferreira
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Souza
authors.forename: Camila Damázio
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.forename: Gisely Carvalho
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Ferraz
authors.forename: Fátima Aparecida Emm Faleiros
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Sousa
authors.forename: Lílian Varanda
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Pereira
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012651:Self Medication / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013338:Students, Nursing; D055815:Young Adult