Prevalence Of Prescription Drugs Research Articles

Pilot Certification, Age of Pilot, and Drug Use in Fatal Civil Aviation Accidents.

This study examined the association between mean age of pilot, pilot license, pilot medical certificate and drug use trends in pilots fatally injured in aircraft accidents. The prevalence of prescription drugs, OTC drugs, controlled drugs and drugs that may be potentially impairing was also examined. This study was a descriptive observational study in which the NTSB Aviation Accident Database was searched from the period beginning January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2014. During the study period a total of 706 accidents involving 711 fatalities were investigated by the NTSB. This study included 633 of these accidents, involving 646 fatalities. Of these pilots, 42.1% had drugs in their biological samples. The prevalence of prescription drugs, controlled drugs, OTC drugs, opioids, and potentially impairing drugs in the fatally injured pilot population over the study period was 28.9%, 15.0%, 20.1%, 5.1%, and 25.5%, respectively. Pilots with any drugs in their samples were significantly older than those without drugs. Medical certificate held was associated with drug use; pilots who held third class certificates had the highest prevalence at 54.1%. Pilot license was not associated with drug use. In 3.8% of the accidents, drugs were a contributing factor in the cause. Despite current FAA medical regulations, potentially impairing drugs are frequently found in biological samples of fatally injured pilots in the U.S. More education of airmen by aviation medical examiners is needed on the safety of drug use.Akparibo IY, Stolfi A. Pilot certification, age of pilot, and drug use in fatal civil aviation accidents. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2017; 88(10):931-936.

The certification of Hospital Delivery Ward: the Italian Project to ensure Quality and Safety for Patients and Professionals

Neuroenhancement is the use of substances by healthy subjects to enhance cognitive or affective functioning. Possible sideeffects and long-term effects of substances for neuroenhancement are not yet investigated. While stress at work and in education is likely to become a public health problem, several studies investigated a relationship between neuroenhancement and recreational use of alcohol and illicit drugs of abuse what could result in a serious public health problem. The prevalence of prescription drugs and drugs of abuse use for neuroenhancement among the Swiss population is unknown. Methods Participants were drawn from the representative Internet panel of the LINK institute in Switzerland. The online survey was conducted in March 2013 and reached a stratified sample of 10’000 Swiss employees and people in education, which was weighted for sex, age and language region. The questionnaire included questions on socio-demographic data, stress at work or in education, self-efficacy, health and neuroenhancing substances. Questions were asked about the use of 31 prescription drugs, 16 legal available substances and six illicit drugs of abuse. The medications were presented graphically with packing and pills respectively capsules that the respondents were able to recognize their medications even if they would have forgotten about the name. Results Only a few Swiss employees or people in education seem to use prescription drugs or drugs of abuse for neuroenhancement. The nonmedical use of prescription drugs with effects on mood and mental well-being for indirect neuroenhancement appears to be more popular than the nonmedical use of prescription drugs for direct neuroenhancement in the Swiss population. People who demonstrated higher levels of stress and/or more psychological problems reported neuroenhancement more frequently. In particular, young adults, people in education and people aged 35 or older seem to be at a high risk for neuroenhancement. Conclusions So far, neuroenhancement seems not to be widespread among the Swiss population. Educational institutions and professions with high levels of stress appear to be more likely for the occurrence of neuroenhancement. Key messages So far, neuroenhancement seems not to be widespread among the Swiss population. Young adults, students and people in education, and people aged 35 or older seem to be at a high risk for neuroenhancement.