Prevalence of self-medication among school-age adolescents and aged 15-19 years

Abstract

Introduction: Studies aimed at the adolescent population demonstrate that self-medication in this age group is frequent, and it is necessary to know to what extent these individuals are subject to this practice. Objective: The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of self-medication among school-age adolescents. Methods: This is a crosssectional study, which is integrated with the “Survey of the oral and psychosocial health conditions of students aged 15 to
19 years old in the municipality of São Lourenço da Mata - PE”, the original study being a study of basis for a cohort with a primary data source. The research was carried out in public schools and adolescents aged 15 to 19 years, enrolled in public schools were included. Results: The results show that a large percentage of the local adolescent population practices self-medication (64.7%). Conclusion: The practice of self-medication is common among the adolescents studied.