Non-medical use of methylphenidate among medical students of the University of the Free State

Abstract

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Faced with demanding training programmes, medical students may be more prone to use methylphenidate for non-medical purposes in order to improve concentration, alertness and academic performance.</p><p><strong>Aim:</strong> The study aimed to investigate the prevalence of the non-medical use of methylphenidate and knowledge of this drug among undergraduate medical students of the University of the Free State.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> This was a cross-sectional study. A self-administered, anonymous questionnaire was distributed during lectures to all students in the five year groups of the undergraduate medical programme.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> Of the 643 undergraduate medical students, 541 completed the questionnaire (response rate: 84.1%). Approximately 11.0% of surveyed students were using methylphenidate at the time of the study, of which the majority (67.9%) used it for academic purposes and 70.6% received it from a medical health professional. Less than a third of users had been diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Methylphenidate users’ median knowledge was greater than non-users, and methylphenidate knowledge increased from first-year and second-year students to third-year to fifth-year students. Median knowledge scores per year group ranged from 52.0% to 60.0%.</p><p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Methylphenidate is mainly used for non-medical purposes by medical students. Students generally have a low level of knowledge on methylphenidate. Specific information on methylphenidate should be included in lectures on stress management and study methods during the course of the medical curriculum.</p>

Methylphenidate use among students living in junior on-campus residences of the University of the Free State

“…Sixty-six participants (11.3%) reported past-year use of methylphenidate. The overall prevalence is very similar to the findings of Jain et al 15 regarding current methylphenidate use among medical students at the UFS. Our results, however, show a relatively lower rate among students in Health Sciences and higher rates for students in Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Humanities and Law.…”

Methylphenidate use among students living in junior on-campus residences of the University of the Free State

“…18 The percentage of methylphenidate users who obtained methylphenidate without a legal prescription in this study (36.4%) is very similar to the results reported by Steyn. 16 The figures of 27.3% of past-year users of methylphenidate with a diagnosis of ADHD, and 66.7% obtaining their methylphenidate through a prescription from a general practitioner or specialist are similar to the figures reported by Jain et al 15 for medical students at the UFS (30.2% and 70.6%, respectively). Such discrepancy indicates that there is a considerable degree of offlabel prescribing of the drug to healthy persons, presumably for cognitive enhancement.…”

Self-reported substance use, in dental and oral hygiene students at a university in South Africa

“…Additional stress, in some cases, is caused by emotional and personal issues as well as the financial strains of funding their studies. 1 Both local and international literature is replete with information about the stress perceived by dental students. [2][3][4] Abbasi et.al.…”