Medical students and stimulants; they have enough knowledge but they still use non prescribed stimulants. (3rd September 2022) - Rezaei Kalat, Afsaneh
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Medical university students are more likely to use non-prescribed stimulants, due to the claim that some of these drugs may improve learning abilities and concentration. Side effects of non-prescribed stimulants in healthy young adults are not so far widely studied. The present cross-sectional survey demonstrates the prevalence of stimulants misuse and the characteristics of non-prescribed users among Iranian medical students. Materials and Methods: Healthy medical students were asked to fill a validated researcher-administered questionnaire about their previous stimulant use. Both online and printed versions of the questionnaire were available for the students. Results: Among 301 medical students, 157 students (52.2%) reported misusing stimulant agents. The most common stimulant was methylphenidate, with a prevalence of 46.5%. Compared to non-users, stimulant users were more likely to smoke ( p < .05). Among the non-prescribed users, 31.8% reported being tempted to reuse stimulants, 89.8% were aware of the complications of stimulants before use, and 54.1% reported recommending the stimulants to others. Conclusion: The findings of the present emphasize the necessity of focusing on psychoeducational programs for medical students, alongside increasing awareness about possible side effects of stimulants.