Patterns of non-medical use of benzodiazepines and Z-Drugs among adolescents and young adults: gender differences and related factors

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: We aimed to report the prevalence and factors associated with non-medical use of BZD and Z-Drugs in adolescents and young adults residing in Spain from a gender perspective. Nationwide, cross-sectional study on the misuse of BZD and Z-Drugs by young adult population of both sexes. Method: We used individualized secondary data retrieved from the 2015–2016 Household Survey on Alcohol and Drugs in Spain. A total of 10,824 survey respondents aged 15 to 34 years. Results: Prevalence of non-medical use of BZD and Z-Drugs was.42%, 1% in men vs. 1.84% in women, p = .00. Zolpidem presents the highest misuse rate in young males (45.8%), females showing a greater misuse prevalence for Lormetazepam (35.8%). The variables associated with a greater probability of misuse were, smoking habit, consumption of an illicit drug other than marijuana during last year. Low-perceived risk for BZD and Z-Drug consumption, was the variable showing the greatest value in young population (aOR = 3.88, 95% CI 2.53–5.93). Conclusions: Spanish young women are more likely to misuse BZD and Z-Drugs than men. Differentiated consumption is observed for these substances. A low perception of consumption risk and negative perception of health are strongly associated with non-medical use of BZD and Z-Drug among young Spanish population.