Prevalencia de automedicación en época de pandemia Covid 19, en adultos de los centros de salud de Javier Loyola, Borrero y Guapán de la ciudad de Azogues, 2022

Abstract

Background: Currently, self-medication has become a public health problem, during the pandemic has seen a significant increase, at the local level (Cuenca) is estimated a prevalence of 49.4% in adults, which can lead to serious consequences for health, increasing costs to the system and health care.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of self-medication during the Covid 19 pandemic, in adults from the Javier Loyola, Borrero and Guapán health centers in the city of Azogues, 2022.

Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study, with a sample of 150 adults, the data collection instrument was a form, performed and validated by Ortencia Uchupe Bautista. Excel and the SPSS statistic were used for data tabulation. The results were described in frequency and percentage tables.

Results: The prevalence of self-medication was 66.7%, between 18 - 39 years of age (51.3%), female gender (48.7%), the most associated disease, discomfort or symptom was pain (43%), the most consumed medication the analgesic (56%), among the most prevalent causes are the knowledge of the drug to treat your disease (75%), third-party recommendation and pharmacy that does not require a prescription (64%), the level of knowledge about the consequences was average (65%).

Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of self-medication in adults who attend the three health centers of Azogues, it is necessary to implement strategies and health education.