Abstract
Background: Prescription drug misuse (PDM) is a critical mental health issue relating to psychiatric morbidity. This study investigated the prevalence of PDM and its associated psychopathology and psychosocial factors in the general population in Taiwan. Methods: The survey randomly selected a representative sample >15 year-olds using the stratified proportional randomization method. The measurements included demographic variables, previous experience with PDM, self-rated physical and mental health, health self-efficacy, risk factors for suicidality, and psychological distress. Results: The weighted one-year prevalence of PDM was 8.5% (n = 180) among 2126 participants. Those with psychological distress and lifetime suicide ideation (23.3%) or suicide attempts (5.0%) were significantly associated with PDM. PDM was also prevalent among those with poorer self-rated health and lower self-efficacy. Insomnia (OR = 1.52), depression (OR = 1.77), and low self-efficacy (OR = 2.29) had higher odds of PDM after adjustment in the logistic regression model. Conclusions: Individuals who misused prescription drugs had a higher prevalence of psychological distress and suicidality and lower levels of self-rated health. Prescription drug misuse problems should be screened for early prevention when prescribing medications for people with insomnia, depression, or lower perceived health beliefs or conditions.
Highlights
In order to investigate treatment, this study investigated the prevalence of Prescription drug misuse (PDM) in a representative sample in Taiwan and examined the psychological factors associated with PDM
The educational background was comparable to the national data (46.5%) of the Ministry of the Interior in the same year (2018), indicating the representativeness of this sample
The results revealed that insomnia (OR = 1.52), depression (OR = 1.77), lower (OR = 2.29) or medium level of self-efficacy (OR = 1.73), and lifetime suicide ideation (OR = 1.68) were significant correlates of PDM in the logistic model after controlling for age, gender, and education (Table 4)
Summary
This study investigated the prevalence of PDM and its associated psychopathology and psychosocial factors in the general population in Taiwan. PDM, self-rated physical and mental health, health self-efficacy, risk factors for suicidality, and psychological distress. Results: The weighted one-year prevalence of PDM was 8.5% (n = 180) among. Those with psychological distress and lifetime suicide ideation (23.3%) or suicide attempts (5.0%) were significantly associated with PDM. PDM was prevalent among those with poorer self-rated health and lower self-efficacy. Insomnia (OR = 1.52), depression (OR = 1.77), and low self-efficacy (OR = 2.29) had higher odds of PDM after adjustment in the logistic regression model
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