Non-medical use of methylphenidate among medical students of the University of the Free State
South African Journal of Psychiatry
| Field | Value | |
| Title | Non-medical use of methylphenidate among medical students of the University of the Free State | |
| Creator | Jain, Roshini Chang, Ch Chiech Koto, Mpho Geldenhuys, Alden Nichol, Richard Joubert, Gina | |
| Description | Background: 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.Aim: 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.Methods: 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.Results: 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%.Conclusion: 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. | |
| Publisher | AOSIS | |
| Date | 2017-01-20 | |
| Identifier | 10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v23i0.1006 | |
| Source | South African Journal of Psychiatry; Vol 23 (2017); 5 pages 2078-6786 1608-9685 | |
| Language | eng | |
| Relation |
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:
https://sajp.org.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/1006/749
https://sajp.org.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/1006/748
https://sajp.org.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/1006/750
https://sajp.org.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/1006/743
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