Self-medication among general population in the European Union: prevalence and associated factors

被引:1
作者
Yeamans, Spencer [1 ]
Gil-de-Miguel, Angel [1 ]
Hernandez-Barrera, Valentin [1 ]
Carrasco-Garrido, Pilar [1 ]
机构
[1] Univ Rey Juan Carlos, Dept Med Specialties & Publ Hlth, Preventat Med & Publ Hlth Area, Alcorcon, Madrid, Spain
关键词
Self-medication; Over-the-counter; European Union; Europe; European Health Interview Survey; EHIS; OVER-THE-COUNTER; NONPRESCRIPTION MEDICINES; HEALTH; DRUGS; KNOWLEDGE; ATTITUDES;
D O I
10.1007/s10654-024-01153-1
中图分类号
R1 [预防医学、卫生学];
学科分类号
1004 ; 120402 ;
摘要
Self-medication (SM) forms an important part of public health strategy. Nonetheless, little research has been performed to understand the current state of self-medication in the European Union (EU). Utilizing data from the third wave of the European Health Interview Surveys, this study finds an estimated SM prevalence of 34.3% in the EU (95%CI = 34.1-34.5%; n = 255,758). SM prevalence, as well as SM prevalence inequality between men and women, varies substantially between EU member countries. Via multivariable analysis, we also identify a number of variables associated with SM, most notably the substantial impact of health systems on SM behavior (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 4.00; 95% Confidence Interval [95%CI] = 3.81-4.21). Several demographics are also associated with greater SM prevalence, including those aged 25-44 (versus ages 75+: AOR = 1.21; 95%CI = 1.12-1.31), women (AOR = 1.74; 95%CI = 1.68-1.81), immigrants born in other EU states (AOR = 1.16; 95%CI = 1.04-1.30), those with higher education (AOR = 1.83; 95%CI = 1.60-2.09), and urban dwellers (AOR = 1.14; 95%CI = 1.04-1.30). Additionally, long-standing health problems (AOR = 1.39; 95%CI = 1.33-1.45), visits to doctors (both general practitioners and specialists) (AOR = 1.21, 95%CIs = 1.15-1.26, 1.17-1.26), and unmet needs for health care due to waiting lists (AOR = 1.38; 95%CI = 1.23-1.55) or inability to afford medical examinations/treatment (AOR = 1.27; 95%CI = 1.12-1.42) serve as conditioners for SM. We also find that smoking (AOR = 1.05; 95%CI = 1.01-1.10), vaping (AOR = 1.19; 95%CI = 1.06-1.32), drinking alcohol (AOR = 1.23; 95%CI = 1.19-1.28), and higher levels of physical activity (AOR = 1.27; 95%CI = 1.22-1.32) are factors associated with SM. Analysis of these variables reveals that though women self-medicate more than men, the patterns that govern their consumption are similar.
引用
收藏
页码:977 / 990
页数:14
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