Original Report
Self-medication among Finnish young men in the beginning of common military service†
Kari Linden MSc Pharm, MSc Econ,
Vesa Jormanainen MD, MSc Public Health,
Nancy L. Swigonski MD, MPH,
Kirsi Pietilä MSc Pharm, PhD,
Corresponding Author
Kari Linden MSc Pharm, MSc Econ
Research Institute of Military Medicine, Finnish Defence Forces, Helsinki, Finland
Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
Research Institute of Military Medicine, Central Military Hospital, Finnish Defence Forces, POB 50, FIN-00301 Helsinki, Finland.Search for more papers by this authorVesa Jormanainen MD, MSc Public Health
Health Care Division, Defence Staff, Finnish Defence Forces, Helsinki, Finland
Search for more papers by this authorNancy L. Swigonski MD, MPH
Children's Health Services Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
Search for more papers by this authorKirsi Pietilä MSc Pharm, PhD
Division of Social Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
Search for more papers by this authorKari Linden MSc Pharm, MSc Econ,
Vesa Jormanainen MD, MSc Public Health,
Nancy L. Swigonski MD, MPH,
Kirsi Pietilä MSc Pharm, PhD,
Corresponding Author
Kari Linden MSc Pharm, MSc Econ
Research Institute of Military Medicine, Finnish Defence Forces, Helsinki, Finland
Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
Research Institute of Military Medicine, Central Military Hospital, Finnish Defence Forces, POB 50, FIN-00301 Helsinki, Finland.Search for more papers by this authorVesa Jormanainen MD, MSc Public Health
Health Care Division, Defence Staff, Finnish Defence Forces, Helsinki, Finland
Search for more papers by this authorNancy L. Swigonski MD, MPH
Children's Health Services Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
Search for more papers by this authorKirsi Pietilä MSc Pharm, PhD
Division of Social Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
Search for more papers by this author†
No conflict of interest was declared.
Abstract
Purpose
Little is known about self-medication in adolescent and young adult males, particularly in ones exposed to increased stress. The objective of this article is to analyze self-medication and its predictors in young Finnish men at entry into common military service.
Methods
The responding men (n = 857) from nine brigades anonymously completed a self-administered questionnaire during the first conscription days before active military training in July 1999. The effect of pre-disposing, need and health behavior variables on self-medication was assessed using Andersen et al. theoretical health care utilization model.
Results
In the 2 weeks preceding the survey, 65% of the men reported self-medication. Self-medication for pain or common cold symptoms was reported by 54% while 8% had taken caffeine tablets or other stimulants. Multivariate analysis on overall self-medication showed an association with brigade and using health services before the conscription. Along with pre-disposing variables, need variables were associated with self-medication for pain or common cold symptoms and self-medication with stimulants. Stimulant use was also associated with health behaviors such as trial with illegal drugs during lifetime.
Conclusions
Young men frequently self-medicate at the initial stage of conscription that may pose them at an increased risk for adverse effects of medicines or other medical problems. The military and civilian primary health care providers should discuss the proper use of self-medication with young men. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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