Exploring Patterns of Methylphenidate (Ritalin) Consumption: An Epidemiological Study in Northwestern Iran (Urmia City, 2022)

Abstract

Background The prevalence of methamphetamine consumption among youth in Iran is high, but there is a lack of information in provincial level. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the epidemiology of methamphetamine use in city of Urmia in the Northwest of Iran. Method Data of study was collected from patients referred to the Food and Drug Administration of Urmia University of Medical Sciences between December 2021 and May 2022. We calculate the prevalence of legal Ritalin use in the city and describe the characteristics of the patients. The ordinal logistic regression model was employed to explore the moderating effects of studied factors on drug consumption levels. Analysis was done in STATA 15. Results A total of 473 individuals sought Ritalin, with 314 (66.3%) being male. The prevalence of legal Ritalin use in Urmia during the first six months of 2022 was 85.3 per 100,000 people. The majority of individuals were under 20 years old 305 (64.4%). There was a significant difference in the age distribution between male and female (P< 0.001). The most common reason for referral was ADHD & ADD, with 354 individuals (74.8%), and the majority of visitors had an elementary and middle school education 226 (47.7%). University students mainly 34 (55.7) use Ritalin to focus on studding. Conclusion Students are in high-risk groups for Ritalin misuse. Considering the cultural and social conditions of Iran, the actual prevalence of drug consumption are likely to be much higher than reported, to accurately estimate the volume of this problem, more extensive studies using more accurate methods are needed.