A Pharmacoepidemiological Study of Medicine Use among Finnish Conscripts

Relatively little is known about the use of medicines and its predictors in adolescents and young adults. However, individuals of this age frequently use medicines, in particular over-the-counter ones. In addition, their knowledge of medicine use is often poor and their health behavior often comprises risky characteristics that increase a risk for medication related problems. Stress caused by the military service, for example, is suggested to increase the use of medicines and other health care services. Of Finnish young men, 80% perform compulsory military service for 6–12 months. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and predictors of the use of medicines among the Finnish conscripts performing common military service as well as to describe a drug information campaign to the conscripts and to evaluate the conscripts' attitudes towards it. The data for this cross-sectional questionnaire study were drawn from three samples: overall prescribed and nonprescribed medicine use and their predictors among the male conscripts were examined in February 1999 (Sample 1, studies I and V, N = 3725, from 8 brigades, response rate 97%) and among the female conscripts in April 1999 (Sample 3, study IV, N = 177, 68% of all the women on duty). Self-medication patterns among the male conscripts were investigated in July 1999 (Sample 2, studies II and III, N = 857, from 8 brigades, 95%). In the self-medications studies II and III, Andersen's et al. (1968 and 1995) theoretical health care utilization model was employed. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate analyses were done. Study I was carried out as part of a nationwide "Drug Information for Conscripts" -campaign. Of the male conscripts, 71% had used medicines in 2 weeks in February 1999 (I), and 61 % of the female conscripts in April 1999 (IV). Of the men, 60% (44% of women) used prescribed and 42% (31%) nonprescribed medicines. Solely nonprescribed medicines were used by 15% of the men. In July 1999 (II), 65% of the men reported self-medication at least for one indication in the last 2 weeks. Most of the self-medication was for pains or common cold symptoms (54% of all respondents) or for cough. Of the men (I), 63% had used nonprescribed analgesics at least few times a week (15% daily or almost daily). In April 1999, 79% of the female conscripts reported self-medication. Nonprescribed analgesics were used at least few times a week by 71%. Vitamins were taken by 20% of the men in February 1999 (III) and by 36% of the women in April (IV). Use of caffeine tablets or other stimulants was reported by approximately 9% of individuals of both genders. Overall use of prescribed medicines was associated with the male and female conscripts' sociodemographic, health and health behavior variables (I,IV). Among the men (II,III), overall self-medication and vitamin use was associated with predisposing and health behavior variables, but not with need ones. Instead, along with predisposing and health behavior variables, need variables predicted self-medication for pain or common cold symptoms or use of caffeine tablets or other stimulants. Potentially risky health behaviors with overall use of prescribed medicines and self-medication were detected. In general, the conscripts had a positive attitude to the drug information campaign, received new information from it, and found this information useful. The study showed that Finnish male and female conscripts commonly use prescribed medicines and self-medication. In particular among the male conscripts, the prevalence of the use of medicines seemed to be at the same or a little higher level than reported among adolescents and young adults under civilian circumstances. The prevalence of the use of prescribed and nonprescribed medicines among the conscripts can be seen high, because it is reported by probably the healthiest individuals of the age group. The results underline the importance of appropriate medical and pharmaceutical services and drug information provided to the conscripts.