Understanding Norwegian adolescent`s use of over-the- counter analgesics: a qualitative study

Background: The use of over-the-counter analgesics (OTCAs) in adolescents is increasing and this is seen as an issue of Public Health. The adolescent’s own views of the reasons for using OTCA and how the society and the environment has influences that contribute to the use of these medicines is poorly understood. The increased access of over-the-counter medicines, due to the possibility of buying them in regular stores, could be a factor that increases an inappropriate use of these medicines in Norwegian adolescents. Pain-relieving medicines was released for sale in grocery stores in 2003. The increased access to medicine can provide possibilities for inappropriate use and self-medicating in young people. Theory: Bronfenbrenner’s socioecological model was used to illustrate the different layers of influence affecting children growing up. The sociological concepts “normalization», «socialization”, “transition” and “medicalization” was used to help shed light to the choices young people do. Methods: This qualitative study will seek to understand this phenomenon and collecting data was therefore done by using focus groups. Totally 22 young people participated in this study. The adolescents in these groups were 16-19 years all from Hedmark county. The focus groups were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim before the analysis. Thematic analysis was used to make sense of the collected data. Findings: There were given various reasons for the use of OTCAs, all from fever to headache to being able to sleep and relax from psychological distress. Given the easy access and the liberal policies around it, this was a natural solution to everyday problems. The OTCAs therefor play a big part in their lives. The adolescents in this study expressed the need for increasing information to the public to be able to make better choices regarding these medicines in their daily life. The common view in these focus groups were that the use is high in young people in Hedmark. Conclusion: The findings in this study support earlier research, showing the OTCAs has a big role in the young people’s lives. They get their influences from the different contexts they grow up in, where the OTCAs is always there and therefor seen as very natural and used as a solution for a various specter of reasons.