Self-medication (SM) forms an important part of public health strategy. Nonetheless, little research has been performed to understand the current state of self-medication in the European Union (EU). Utilizing data from the third wave of the European Health Interview Surveys, this study finds an estimated SM prevalence of 34.3% in the EU (95%CI = 34.1-34.5%; n = 255,758). SM prevalence, as well as SM prevalence inequality between men and women, varies substantially between EU member countries. Via multivariable analysis, we also identify a number of variables associated with SM, most notably the substantial impact of health systems on SM behavior (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 4.00; 95% Confidence Interval [95%CI] = 3.81–4.21). Several demographics are also associated with greater SM prevalence, including those aged 25–44 (versus ages 75+: AOR = 1.21; 95%CI = 1.12–1.31), women (AOR = 1.74; 95%CI = 1.68–1.81), immigrants born in other EU states (AOR = 1.16; 95%CI = 1.04–1.30), those with higher education (AOR = 1.83; 95%CI = 1.60–2.09), and urban dwellers (AOR = 1.14; 95%CI = 1.04–1.30). Additionally, long-standing health problems (AOR = 1.39; 95%CI = 1.33–1.45), visits to doctors (both general practitioners and specialists) (AOR = 1.21, 95%CIs = 1.15–1.26, 1.17–1.26), and unmet needs for health care due to waiting lists (AOR = 1.38; 95%CI = 1.23–1.55) or inability to afford medical examinations/treatment (AOR = 1.27; 95%CI = 1.12–1.42) serve as conditioners for SM. We also find that smoking (AOR = 1.05; 95%CI = 1.01–1.10), vaping (AOR = 1.19; 95%CI = 1.06–1.32), drinking alcohol (AOR = 1.23; 95%CI = 1.19–1.28), and higher levels of physical activity (AOR = 1.27; 95%CI = 1.22–1.32) are factors associated with SM. Analysis of these variables reveals that though women self-medicate more than men, the patterns that govern their consumption are similar.

自我用药 （SM） 是公共卫生策略的重要组成部分。尽管如此，很少有研究来了解欧盟 （EU） 的自我用药现状。利用第三波欧洲健康访谈调查的数据，本研究发现欧盟的 SM 患病率估计为 34.3%（95%CI = 34.1-34.5%;n = 255,758）。SM 患病率以及男女之间的 SM 患病率不平等在欧盟成员国之间差异很大。通过多变量分析，我们还确定了许多与 SM 相关的变量，最值得注意的是卫生系统对 SM 行为的重大影响 （调整后的优势比 [AOR] = 4.00;95% 置信区间 [95%CI] = 3.81–4.21）。一些人口统计数据也与较高的 SM 患病率相关，包括 25-44 岁（与 75+ 岁相比：AOR = 1.21;95%CI = 1.12-1.31）、女性（AOR = 1.74;95%CI = 1.68-1.81）、在其他欧盟国家出生的移民（AOR = 1.16;95%CI = 1.04-1.30）、受过高等教育的人（AOR = 1.83;95%CI = 1.60-2.09）和城市居民（AOR = 1.14;95%CI = 1.04-1.30）。此外，长期存在的健康问题 （AOR = 1.39;95%CI = 1.33-1.45）、看医生（全科医生和专科医生）（AOR = 1.21,95%CI = 1.15-1.26,1.17-1.26）以及由于等待名单 （AOR = 1.38;95%CI = 1.23-1.55） 或无力负担医疗检查/治疗 （AOR = 1.27;95%CI = 1.12-1.42） 而导致的医疗保健需求未得到满足是 SM 的条件。我们还发现吸烟 （AOR = 1.05;95%CI = 1.01-1.10）、电子烟 （AOR = 1.19;95%CI = 1.06-1.32）、饮酒 （AOR = 1.23;95%CI = 1.19-1.28） 和更高水平的身体活动 （AOR = 1.27;95%CI = 1.22-1.32） 是与 SM 相关的因素。 对这些变量的分析表明，尽管女性比男性更多地自我用药，但控制她们消费的模式是相似的。