Popping smart pills: prescription stimulant misuse by university and college students in Flanders

Abstract

Conclusions Preventive actions aiming at SW and provided by Ghapro and Pasop, indeed positively affects the sexual health of SW. SW in contact with Ghapro or Pasop had better knowledge and better behaviour in terms of safe sex practices and prevention of STI, compared to SW who had not been in contact with Ghapro or Pasop. The study showed a need for specific health care for SW in the provinces where this was non existing. After the study was completed, the Flemish government subsidised the expansion of Ghapro and Pasop. Key messages Offering free and anonymous health care to sex workers positively affects their health. Specific health care for sex workers should be accessible for all sex workers in all sex work sectors. Background In the USA, between 7 and 16% of the students use stimulants in a non-medical way. In European countries, data on this phenomenon are scarce. Yet, apart from the question of unfair competition during the exams, the misuse of prescription stimulants can also have detrimental health effects. Methods In Flanders, a large-scale repeated quantitative survey among university and college students was performed. This survey started in 2005 in the Antwerp students. In 2009, a follow-up was done, also including the Ghent students. In March 2013, a third wave of the survey was performed, covering almost all Flemish students (n = 210,000). Questions were asked on the prevalence and frequency of licit and illicit drug use, negative consequences, mental health and context of substance use. In the third wave, a module has been included more specifically on attitudes toward stimulant use during the examination period. Results In total, 18,000 students filled out the questionnaire in 2009. Ever use of stimulants was 6.9%, past year use was 4.3%. The ever use in males was twice as high (9.6%) compared to females (4.8%). The same held for the past year use: 6.2% and 2.9%, respectively. Only one out of nine students who used in the past year, used these stimulants on a daily basis. Unlike the prevalence and frequency of alcohol use and illicit drug use, the use of prescription stimulants in university and college students was much higher during the examination periods compared to the academic year and the holidays. Of the past year stimulant users, almost 80% used stimulants at least weekly and 52.7% used daily during the examination period (compared to 13.6% and 20.0% of daily users during holidays and academic year, respectively). Extrapolations to the total group of Antwerp and Ghent students, indicate that about 3,000 students use stimulants on a daily basis during the examination period. Conclusions A substantial part of Flemish university and college students uses stimulant medication as a 'learning pill'. Monitoring this phenomenon is important to develop the appropriate prevention and information campaigns. During the EPH-conference, the third wave results will be presented. Key messages A substantial part of Flemish students uses prescription stimulants as a 'learning pill'. To develop appropriate prevention and information campaigns , quality research data are needed.