Revista Médica UCR
Revista Médica de la Universidad de Costa Rica

Volume 19, No. 2Número 2 Julio-Diciembre -

Published November 3, 2025

Articles

  1. Nathalie Bosshard Monge, Paola Espinoza Quesada, Valeria Hernández Murillo, Jimena Ocampo Guadamuz, Catalina Rojas Alpizar, Angie Ortiz Ureña Ortiz Ureña (Author)

    EXPERIENCE OF TWO COSTA RICANS LIVING WITH HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (HIV) AND THEIR CHALLENGES IN HEALTH ACCESS

    Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) affects the immune system in a progressive way, causing Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) if viral replication is not effectively controlled. The main objective of this research was to know the life experiences of two people living with HIV, their perceptions about health care access and the disease’s impact on their lives, from a qualitative phenomenological perspective, by applying semi-structured interviews to two adult males, twenty-seven and thirty years old, respectively. It was found that both received acceptable treatment from health care workers. In addition, the VIH infection made a significant impact on several aspects of their lives, causing both negative and positive effects. Amongst conclusions, the life experience of these two people living with HIV is influenced by many factors, like those personal and structural in nature. They both present similar experiences regarding diagnosis and quality of health care services; however, perceptions related to the impact differ, since for patient 1 his family was an important factor to face the seropositive diagnosis, meanwhile, for patient 2 this was not part of his support system to rely on and deal with it.

  2. Angie Ortiz Ureña, Nicole Chacón Morera, Sofia Gómez Flores, Chelsea Rivas Betancourt, Maripaz Zamora Jimenez (Author)

    RATIONAL DRUG USAGE PATTERN OF STUDENTS AT UNIVERSITY OF COSTA RICA IN 2024

     

     Analyze the rational drug usage pattern of students at the University of Costa Rica, Rodrigo Facio campus, in 2024, by applying digital surveys as a data collection instrument, through on-campus visits and social networks. Results: It was noted that there was an increase in the access of medicines, independently, through pharmacies. Drug storage in the bedroom and in boxes was predominant. A major preference was found for purchasing medicines in physical pharmacies, with a growing interest in the use of virtual messaging platforms to acquire them. Most students follow medical directions when taking their medication. There are significant challenges in access, storage, use, and there is a recurring problem with inappropriate disposal of medications. Conclusion: Rational drug use pattern has evolved since a few years back, with changes observed such as an increase in use of digital platforms for buying medication since the pandemic, thanks to improved technological facilities that contribute to new forms of access. Significant challenges persist in self-medication and improper medication disposal. 

Clinical Case

  1. Monica Mohs Alfaro, Tatiana Prado Barboza (Author)

    Myiasis from Dermatobia hominis, located on the lower lip in a pediatric patient: Case report

    Myiasis is a parasitic disease that can occur in both humans and animals. This is caused by eggs of dipteran flies. This paper describes a pediatric case of patient with oral myiasis manifested as a furunculous lesion, which was extracted in a dental office and sent to pathology with a diagnosis of myiasis due to Dermatobia hominis with satisfactory evolution. A case review is carried out as well as national and international literature.