Prescribed use of methylphenidate hydrochloride and its correlates among Brazilian college students

Authors

  • Eduardo Luiz Da Rocha Cesar Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina; Grupo Interdisciplinar de Estudos de Álcool e Drogas
  • Gabriela Arantes Wagner Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Saúde Pública; Departamento de Epidemiologia
  • João Maurício Castaldelli-Maia Faculdade de Medicina do ABC
  • Camila Magalhães Silveira Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina; Grupo Interdisciplinar de Estudos de Álcool e Drogas
  • Arthur Guerra De Andrade Faculdade de Medicina do ABC
  • Lúcio Garcia De Oliveira USP; FM; Departamento de Medicina Legal, Ética Médica e Medicina Social e do Trabalho

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0101-60832012000600001

Keywords:

Methylphenidate, ADHD, recreational drugs, drug dependence, college students

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of prescribed use of methylphenidate (MPH) and its correlates are not well-known in Brazil. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of prescribed use of MPH and its correlates in a sample of Brazilian college students. METHODS: Twelve-thousand seven hundred and eleven college students filled out a drug use questionnaire. They were divided into two groups based on the lifetime use of MPH: MPH users (MPHU) and MPH non-users (MPHNU). Quasi-binomial regression models were carried out in order to evaluate the correlation among MPHU and other variables. RESULTS: A lifetime use of MPH was reported from 0.9% of college students (MPHU). Being from the Midwest (PR = 4.8, p < 0.01) and South (PR = 5.2, p < 0.05), living in students housing (PR = 5.8, p < 0.001), prescribed use of amphetamines (PR = 8.9, p < 0.001) and benzodiazepines (< 3 weeks: PR = 4.4, p < 0.001; ≥ 3 weeks: PR = 6.7, p < 0.001), and harmful use of alcohol (PR = 4.0, p < 0.05) were correlated with MPHU. DISCUSSION: The association of alcohol and drug use with prescribed use of MPH among college students suggests the importance of screening drinking patterns and use of other drugs among students with ADHD symptoms.

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Published

2012-01-01

Issue

Vol. 39 No. 6 (2012)

Section

Original Articles

License

Once accepted for publication, the manuscript becomes permanent property of the Archives of Clinical Psychiatry. This copyright transfer subsumes exclusive and unlimited entitlement of the Archives of Clinical Psychiatry to publish and distribute the full contents of articles in whichever publishing medium, including press and electronic media, in Brazil and abroad.

Manuscripts are accepted with the understanding that the Editor and the editorial staff have the right to make revisions aimed at greater conciseness, clarity, and conformity with Journal style, of course without changing its content.

How to Cite

Prescribed use of methylphenidate hydrochloride and its correlates among Brazilian college students. (2012). Archives of Clinical Psychiatry (São Paulo), 39(6), 183-188. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0101-60832012000600001