Dataset Information

Nonmedical prescription drug use of analgesics and sedatives/hypnotics in Taiwan: Results from the 2014 National Survey of Substance Use.

ABSTRACT: Nonmedical prescription drug use (NMPDU) has become a major public health issue but little is known in Asian populations. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and correlates of NMPDU in Taiwan. Participants from the 2014 national survey of 17,837 individuals, aged 12 to 64 year, completed anonymously a computer-assisted self-interview. Past-year prescription drug use was divided into medical use only (MUO) and nonmedical use (NMU), defined as using the drug without a prescription, or more frequently, or in larger doses than prescribed. Problematic alcohol use was measured using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), problematic drug use using the 20-item Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST), and depressive symptoms using the Center for Epidemiological Study-Depression (CES-D). The prevalence of past-year NMU was 3.02% for analgesics, 0.71% for sedatives/hypnotics, and 3.66% for either drug, with a very small overlap of NMU between analgesics and sedatives/hypnotics (0.07%). When individuals with NMU were compared to those without NMU (Non-NMU) and those with MUO, respectively, some correlates consistently identified, including young adulthood, tobacco smoking, alcohol drinking, and greater AUDIT's scores for analgesics, as well as hard drug use and greater DAST's scores for sedatives/hypnotics. NMU was associated with greater CES-D's scores for both analgesics and sedatives/hypnotics when compared to Non-NMU but not to MUO. Robust correlates of NMPDU could offer implications for development of prevention strategies of NMPDU.

SUBMITTER: Chen LY

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6531913 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Nonmedical prescription drug use of analgesics and sedatives/hypnotics in Taiwan: Results from the 2014 National Survey of Substance Use.

Chen Lian-Yu LY Chen Yi-Lung YL Tsay Wen-Ing WI Wu Shang-Chi SC Chen Yen-Tyng YT Hsiao Po-Chang PC Yu Ya-Hui YH Ting Te-Tien TT Chen Chuan-Yu CY Tu Yu-Kang YK Huang Jiun-Hau JH Yang Hao-Jan HJ Li Chung-Yi CY Strong Carol C Yen Cheng-Fang CF Yen Chia-Feng CF Hsu Jui J Chen Wei J WJ

Preventive medicine reports 20190519

Nonmedical prescription drug use (NMPDU) has become a major public health issue but little is known in Asian populations. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and correlates of NMPDU in Taiwan. Participants from the 2014 national survey of 17,837 individuals, aged 12 to 64 year, completed anonymously a computer-assisted self-interview. Past-year prescription drug use was divided into medical use only (MUO) and nonmedical use (NMU), defined as using the drug without a prescription, or m ...[more]

PMID: 31193512

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Project description:ObjectiveTo examine whether sources of nonmedical use of prescription drugs (NMUPD) involving anxiolytics, opioids, and stimulants were associated with sociodemographic characteristics, NMUPD characteristics (eg, frequency), and other substance use.MethodNationally representative samples of US high school seniors (N = 18,549) were surveyed by self-administered questionnaires (2009-2016). Design-based latent class analysis and Rao-Scott χ2 tests were used to test associations among sociodemographic characteristics, NMUPD characteristics, other substance use behaviors (eg, binge drinking, cigarette smoking, marijuana use), and NMUPD sources.ResultsApproximately 11.0% of high school seniors reported past-year NMUPD (n = 1,917). A substantial proportion of nonmedical users obtained the prescription drugs from multiple sources (44.2%). Latent class analysis identified 5 subgroups of NMUPD sources (friend/relative sources, friend/purchased sources, own leftover prescription, multiple sources, and other sources). Nonmedical users who obtained prescription drugs from friend/purchased sources were more likely to be adolescent boys, whereas those who used their own leftover prescriptions were more likely to be adolescent girls. Nonmedical users who obtained prescription drugs from multiple sources were more involved in substance use. In contrast, adolescent nonmedical users who used their own leftover prescriptions were less involved in substance use.ConclusionGrowing evidence indicates that different NMUPD sources are associated with different substance use behaviors. All NMUPD sources should be discouraged, because they place individuals, families, and communities at risk. Patients and their families should receive education on how to manage and properly dispose of controlled medications to avoid diversion into the community. Prescribers are encouraged to check prescription monitoring programs and screen adolescents for substance use/misuse when prescribing controlled medications.

Project description:ImportanceBetween 1997 and 2017, the United States saw increases in nonmedical prescription opioid use and its consequences, as well as changes in marijuana policies. Ecological-level research hypothesized that medical marijuana legalization may reduce prescription opioid use by allowing medical marijuana as an alternative.ObjectivesTo investigate the association of state-level medical marijuana law enactment with individual-level nonmedical prescription opioid use and prescription opioid use disorder among prescription opioid users and to determine whether these outcomes varied by age and racial/ethnic groups.Design, setting, and participantsThis cross-sectional study used restricted data on 627 000 individuals aged 12 years and older from the 2004 to 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, a population-based survey representative of the civilian population of the United States. Analyses were completed from March 2018 to May 2018.ExposuresTime-varying indicator of state-level medical marijuana law enactment (0 = never law enactment, 1 = before law enactment, and 2 = after law enactment).Main outcomes and measuresPast-year nonmedical prescription opioid use and prescription opioid use disorder among prescription opioid users. Odds ratios of nonmedical prescription opioid use and prescription opioid use disorder comparing the period before and after law enactment were presented overall, by age and racial/ethnic group, and adjusted for individual- and state-level confounders.ResultsThe study sample included 627 000 participants (51.51% female; 9.88% aged 12-17 years, 13.30% aged 18-25 years, 14.30% aged 26-34 years, 25.02% aged 35-49 years, and 37.50% aged ≥50 years; the racial/ethnic distribution was 66.97% non-Hispanic white, 11.83% non-Hispanic black, 14.47% Hispanic, and 6.73% other). Screening and interview response rates were 82% to 91% and 71% to 77%, respectively. Overall, there were small changes in nonmedical prescription opioid use prevalence after medical marijuana law enactment (4.32% to 4.86%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.06-1.20). Prescription opioid use disorder prevalence among prescription opioid users decreased slightly after law enactment, but the change was not statistically significant (15.41% to 14.76%; adjusted odds ratio, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.81-1.11). Outcomes were similar when stratified by age and race/ethnicity.Conclusions and relevanceThis study found little evidence of an association between medical marijuana law enactment and nonmedical prescription opioid use or prescription opioid use disorder among prescription opioid users. Further research should disentangle the potential mechanisms through which medical marijuana laws may reduce opioid-related harm.

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Dataset Information

Nonmedical prescription drug use of analgesics and sedatives/hypnotics in Taiwan: Results from the 2014 National Survey of Substance Use.

Publications

Nonmedical prescription drug use of analgesics and sedatives/hypnotics in Taiwan: Results from the 2014 National Survey of Substance Use.

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