Automedicación familiar, un problema de salud pública

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Self medicating involves understanding subjectivities that influence the use of medicines. This, leads to the inevitability of comprehensive training for students and professionals in the biomedical sciences, focused on a human and drug-safety perspective. This is an essential tool for the prevention of a public health problem. Objective: To determine the reasons for self-medication in families. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional case study was conducted between March and August 2013. Information was collected using a questionnaire completed by 51 families. An analysis was performed with 95% confidence intervals and an error of 1.9% using the Epidat 3.1 statistics program. Results: Self-medication without prescription was chosen by 42% of families due to the influence of the media (primarily television), as well as its therapeutic effect. The medicines most frequently used were for common diseases such as influenza, which occurred in 37.25% of adults, 19.61% of children, and 5.88% of elderly family members. The second most common (50.98%) was for hypertension. The highest incidence was by adults (27. 45%) and by the elderly (19.61%). Another use of iterative of medicines is against migraine (39.22%). Discussion: It is evident that there are subjectivities in the chain of use of medicines, with no regard to the risk of affecting public health. Therefore, the challenge of renewing teaching comprehensive training in biomedicine, should be according to socio-cultural educational typology of the professional, student and patient. Thereby allowing the dialogue of knowledge in the decision to use or not to use a particular medicine.

RESUMEN: Automedicarse implica entender subjetividades que influyen en el uso de fármacos, de ahí lo ineludible de la formación integral a estudiantes y a profesionales de las ciencias biomédicas, centrada en el ser humano y en la perspectiva de la farmacoseguridad; es la herramienta esencial para prevenir un problema de salud pública. Objetivo: Indagar las razones de automedicarse en familias. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo transversal de caso. Aplicación de una encuesta entre marzo y agosto de 2013 a 51 familias de la Unidad Residencial Tricentenario de Medellín, con el 95% de confianza y un error del 1,9%, usando el programa Epidat 3.1. Resultados: El 42% de las familias elige usar medicamentos sin prescripción por la influencia de los medios de comunicación (televisión principalmente) y efecto terapéutico. Los fármacos utilizados con mayor frecuencia son para enfermedades comunes como la gripe (adultos 37,25%, niños 19,61%, adultos mayores 5,88%). En segundo lugar, la incidencia mayor, son los fármacos antihipertensivos en el 50,98% (adultos 27,45% y adultos mayores 19,61%). Los antimigrañosos se usan en el 39,22%. Discusión: Se evidencia que existen subjetividades en la cadena del uso de medicamentos, sin considerar el riesgo latente que influye en la salud pública. Por tanto, el reto es el de la renovación de la formación integral pedagógica en biomedicina, acorde con la tipología educativa sociocultural del profesional, del estudiante y del paciente, de tal modo que permita el diálogo de saberes en la decisión de usar o no usar un determinado fármaco.