Perceived therapeutic effects of street drugs affect knowledge, attitude and practice of medical and health students. (October 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Afshari, Reza; Motaharinia, Javad; Sadegh, Hasan; Eghbal, Mohammad; Shahini, Narges; Zavar, Abbas
• Is Part Of: Journal of substance use. Volume 19:Number 5(2014:Oct.)
• Page Start: 353
• Page End: 357
• Publication Date: 2014-10
• Subjects: Substance abuse -- Periodicals; Medication abuse -- Periodicals; 362.2905
• DOI: 10.3109/14659891.2013.820802
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1465-9891

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Objective</italic>: Cultural factors may influence health. Street drugs (SDs) and traditional medicines are commonly used in Iran. Opium has been recommended for pain relief and diarrhea in Iranian traditional medicine. This study seeks to explain the potential knowledge, attitude and practice of students towards the therapeutic effects of SDs. It further seeks to hypothesize cultural and ethnic related SDs use.</p> <p> <italic>Methods</italic>: A construct validated questionnaire was piloted and used. Over 800 students of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran were invited to participate in this study ranging in age from 16 to 52 years and included 520 females and 289 males, respectively.</p> <p> <italic>Results</italic>: Knowledge of potential therapeutic use of SDs, declared by 73%, was significantly associated with attitude (odds ratio (CI 95%) 1.62 (1.11, 2.37) and the recommendation of use to others (1.79 (1.08, 2.97)).</p> <p> <italic>Conclusion</italic>: Growing use of SDs is, at least in part, influenced by being marketed as medications. Drug abuse could be culturally or ethnically oriented.</p> </abstract>