Misuse of prescription drugs and other psychotropic substances among university students: a pilot study

Abstract

Background: Prescription drug abuse has emerged as the fastest growing problem globally. While people of all ages suf-fer from the harmful effects, the impact on the health of young people and their quality of life constitutes a significant public health problem. Aims: To estimate the prevalence of the use of prescription drugs and other substances among university students Methods: An online survey method was used. The tools were distributed in 2019 to 794 university students at Aden University in Yemen 48.2% (n = 383) and King Khalid University in Saudi Arabia 51.8% (n = 411). Students answered the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-10), and a questionnaire on drug and substance abuse. Results: The overall prevalence of low, moderate, substantial and severe on the DAST-10 scale was 27.2%, 10.5%, 2.1% and 0.8%, respectively. The prevalence of sedative misuse among university students was high (12.5%) and the differences between Yemeni and Saudi Arabian students in prescription drug and sedative misuse were significant. Female students were significantly lower than males on the DAST-10 scale. About 3% of the Yemenis were abusing diazepam, while over 31% of Saudi Arabians were abusing inhalants. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the differences between university students in Yemen and Saudi Arabia misusing prescription stimulants and sedatives and the inhalation of volatile substances.