Prevalence and Correlates of Prescription Drug Misuse in a Nationwide Population Survey in Taiwan

Shu-Wei Liu, Chia-Yi Wu, Ming-Been Lee, Ming-Chi Huang, Chia-Ta Chan and Chun-Ying Chen
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Shu-Wei Liu: Department of Psychiatry, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei 111, Taiwan
Chia-Yi Wu: School of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
Ming-Been Lee: Department of Psychiatry, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei 111, Taiwan
Ming-Chi Huang: Department of Addiction Sciences, Taipei City Psychiatric Center, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei 10341, Taiwan
Chia-Ta Chan: Department of Psychiatry, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei 111, Taiwan
Chun-Ying Chen: National Taiwan Suicide Prevention Center, Taipei 100, Taiwan

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 24, 1-11

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.

Keywords: prescription drug misuse; self-rated health; self-efficacy; psychopathology; prevalence; psychosocial correlates; population-based survey (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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