Self-medication and health complications in rural eastern El Salvador

Abstract

Abstrac: Self-medication poses a significant challenge to global societies, given the increasing number of individuals who engage in this practice without prescription or supervision by healthcare professionals. This behavior entails potential health risks, as it involves the consumption of medications without proper clinical evaluation and medical guidance. Objective: To describe self-medication and its relationship with health complications in rural inhabitants of eastern El Salvador. Materials and methods: For the development of the research the Quantitative approach was used with the purpose of using statistical processes for the analysis and processing of the information, based on this approach the Deductive methodology was used, which allowed serving as a guide for the collection of the information. Result: Through the analysis and processing of the information collected, it was possible to identify that a high percentage of the surveyed population has a “Basic” degree of academic studies, with regard to the reasons for self-medication, the predominant reason being “Lack of time” of the participants to go to a health care center and be attended by the health personnel. Conclusions: Self-medication is the activity in which people ingest medicines without having received a prescription from a physician. This practice entails direct risks to the health of the population.

Fecha de recepción: 21/11/2023

Aceptación de originales: 25/06/2024