Drug consumption by medical students in tegucigalpa, Honduras

Abstract

The use of drugs, in Honduras, involves 25% of college students. The most used substances include legal and recreational drugs, such as alcohol. This study aimed to identify the use of drugs and socio-demographic factors in a sample of 260 medical students. Results: Average age of 20 years old, unemployed and religious women, single, with no children. Alcohol was the most consumed drug in the last six months for recreational purposes. The following stimulants were frequently consumed: caffeine, mate herb tea, energetic drinks and Coke. Drugs like marijuana, cocaine, valium and sedatives were used in smaller proportions. The reasons reported by women were: to alleviate tiredness and improve their academic performance. The men's reasons were recreation and to alleviate psychological tension. This research has implications for the development of drugs prevention programs in universities.DESCRIPTORS: students, medical; alcoholism / prevention & control; substance-related disorders / prevention & control USO DE DROGAS ENTRE ESTUDIANTES DE MEDICINA, TEGUCIGALPA, HONDURASEn Honduras, el uso de drogas está presente en el 25% de estudiantes universitarios. Entre las drogas de mayor consumo están las lícitas y de uso recreacional, las bebidas alcohólicas siendo las lícitas y de uso recreacional, como el caso das bebidas alcohólicas. Ese estudio tuvo como propósito identificar el consumo de drogas y los factores sociodemográficos en una muestra de 260 estudiantes de medicina. Resultados: edad media 20 años, mujeres, solteros, no tiene hijos, no trabajan, profesan religión. La droga más utilizada en los últimos seis meses es el alcohol, con consumo recreacional. Los estimulantes de consumo frecuente: la cafeína, el mate; las bebidas energizantes, la coca-cola; y las drogas ilicitas como la marihuana, la cocaína, el valium y los inductores del sueño en menores proporciones. Las razones de uso para mujeres fueron: aliviar el cansancio, mejorar el rendimiento académico; y para varones: divertirse y aliviar tensiones psicológicas. Esta investigación tiene implicaciones en el desarrollo de programas preventivos del uso de drogas en la universidad. DESCRIPTORES: estudiantes de medicina; trastornos relacionados con sustancias / prevención & controle; alcoholismo / prevención y controle O USO DE DROGAS ENTRE ESTUDANTES DE MEDICINA EM TEGUCIGALPA, HONDURASO uso de drogas em Honduras envolve 25% dos estudantes universitários. As drogas lícitas estão entre as de maior consumo, como no caso das bebidas alcoólicas, que são consumidas de forma recreacional.Este estudo objetivou identificar o uso de drogas e os fatores sócio-demográficos em uma amostra de 260 estudantes de medicina de ambos os sexos. Resultados: idade média 20 anos, predominantemente mulheres, solteiras e sem filhos, religiosas e que não trabalham. A droga mais utilizada nos últimos seis meses foi o álcool de forma recreacional. Os estimulantes de consumo freqüente são a cafeína e o mate, as bebidas energizantes e coca-cola. Drogas como maconha, cocaína, valium e os indut...

Consumo de Estimulantes Cerebrais por Estudantes de Medicina de uma Universidade do Extremo Sul do Brasil: Prevalência, Motivação e Efeitos Percebidos

“…As bebidas energéticas foram o estimulante mais consumido (38%), com frequência similar à de estudos anteriores 14,15,20 . A cafeína foi a segunda mais consumida, apresentando prevalência de consumo inferior à encontrada em estudos prévios 14,15,21,22 , porém esses estudos não delimitaram quantidade e/ou frequência de consumo mínimas, como foi feito neste estudo. As substâncias mais desconhecidas pelos estudantes, modafinil e piracetan, foram as mesmas relatadas por da Graça 10 e Singh e colaboradores 18 .…”

Drug consumption among medical students in São Paulo, Brazil: influences of gender and academic year

“…From 1996 to 2001, this gender-related difference increased for the consumption of tobacco, marijuana, hallucinogens, amphetamines, anticholinergics, tranquilizers and inhalants. 13 In addition to these important cross-sectional surveys conducted at USP, many other relevant Brazilian studies [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] have contributed to the understanding of drug consumption among university students.…”

Reflexo do consumo de estimulantes no sistema nervoso central nos estudantes de enfermagem e medicina de uma universidade chilena

“…Several American studies demonstrated a prevalence of stimulant use among college students, ranging from 0-15% (2) . The use of alcohol and other drugs is a problem affecting especially the adolescents and young adults.…”

“…Among them the need to reduce stress related to high academic and social demands (4) , curiosity, the pursuit of pleasure; the need for more study time and to make friends (5) , to increase the concentration and energy levels to improve the academic performance, recreation (2) and to suppress the appetite. Furthermore, students in the health field may have greater access to psychiatric drugs (4) .…”

“…Furthermore, students in the health field may have greater access to psychiatric drugs (4) . Patterns of alcohol and drug use are associated with the occurrence of other physical and psychological problems affecting not only the individuals, but their families and friends and the community as a whole (2) . Here are some of the effects resulting from the use of central nervous system stimulants (CNSS): Organ damage; cognitive and memory deterioration; decision making and self-control impairment; feelings of paranoia, depression and panic attacks (3) ; greater exposure to risky situations; higher economic expenditures, in addition to the human and social costs.…”