BACKGROUND

Nonmedical prescription drug use (NMPDU) typically refers to the consumption of medications that have not been prescribed to the user or are used in a manner not intended by the prescriber. NMPDU may pose various health risks, including the development of abuse or dependence, particularly in individuals with mental health problems. This issue, however, has not yet been thoroughly assessed in Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVE

We determined the prevalence and predictors of controlled prescription drugs, non-medical, and lifetime use among patients accessing mental health services in the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (UoGCSH).

METHODS

A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at UoGCSH from June 17, 2022, to July 28, 2022, involving 146 participants. A convenience sampling technique was used to recruit the study participants, and data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Descriptive analysis was conducted to examine sociodemographic characteristics and the prevalence of Controlled Prescription Drugs (CPD) use. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify predictors, with statistical significance set at P ≤ 0.05.

RESULT

Of the 146 participants, 12 (8.20%): 95% CI (3.63-12.81) reported having used CPD for non-medical purposes at some point in their lifetime. The most commonly used drugs were tramadol capsules and tramadol injections, reported by 11 participants (91.7%), and followed by amitriptyline (8.3%). The odds of CPD use were significantly higher among patients treated in the outpatient setting (AOR = 7.609, 95% CI = 1.429-40.507) compared to those treated as inpatients. Nine (75%) participants reported using CPD for non-medical purposes to relieve post-operative pain, while the remaining participants cited restlessness as the primary reason for their use.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study revealed that tramadol, in both intravenous and oral forms, was the most frequently abused drug. It was found that patients treated in outpatient settings had greater exposure to CPD use. It is crucial to evaluate the impact of nonmedical CPD use on the health of individuals with mental health conditions and prioritize efforts to improve the quality of care for high-risk individuals.