The nonmedical use of prescription medicines among high school students: A cross-sectional study in Southern China

ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of the nonmedical use of prescription medicines (NMUPM) and the association between NMUPM and demographic, family and school factors.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from 2007 to 2009. A total of 21,672 middle and high school students were surveyed in seven cities of Guangdong Province. Self-reported NMUPM and information regarding family and school factors were collected. Multilevel logistic regression analyses were used to explore potentially influential factors.ResultsOf the total sample, the mean age was 16 (±1.9) years. Approximately 6.0% of respondents reported lifetime NMUPM. The most common nonmedically used prescription drug among NMUPM users was scattered analgesics, at approximately 3.9%, followed by cough medicine with codeine (2.1%). Multilevel logistic regression analysis indicated that living arrangements, available money, social friends, and smoking were significantly correlated with NMUPM among boys and girls. Academic achievement and family relationships were only significantly correlated with NMUPM among girls, and communication with parents was only associated with NMUPM among boys.ConclusionsThese results indicate that NMUPM represented a considerable problem for particular subgroups of adolescents. A well-established surveillance system and target intervention programs are needed given the potential long-term negative outcomes of NMUPM.