Methylphenidate use and poly-substance use among undergraduate students attending a South African university

dc.contributor.authorSteyn, Francois
dc.contributor.emailfrancois.steyn@up.ac.zaen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2016-05-16T07:10:26Z
dc.date.available2016-05-16T07:10:26Z
dc.date.issued2016-03
dc.description.abstractBACKGROUND : Methylphenidate hydrochloride (MPH) is used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The non-medical use of MPH by learners and students has been reported by numerous studies from abroad. The practice stems from beliefs about the benefits of MPH in achieving academic success. Little is known about the use of MPH in South African student populations. OBJECTIVES : The study set out to determine (1) the extent and dynamics associated with MPH use and (2) poly-substance use among undergraduate students attending a South African university. METHODS : 818 students took part in a written, group-administered survey. Data analysis resulted in descriptive results regarding MPH use and tests of association identified differences in MPH and poly-substance use among respondents. RESULTS : One in six respondents (17.2%) has used MPH in the past, although only 2.9% have been diagnosed with ADHD. Nearly a third (31.7%) of users obtained MPH products illegally. The majority (69.1%) used MPH only during periods of academic stress. A significant association ( p < 0.001) was found between MPH use and the frequency of using alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, hard drugs (e.g. cocaine) and prescription medication. CONCLUSION : MPH use among students appears similar to experiences abroad, especially in the absence of clinical diagnosis for ADHD. Institutions of higher education should inform parents and students about the health risks associated with the illicit use of MPH. Prescribers and dispensers of MPH products should pay close attention to practices of stockpiling medication and poly-substance use among students who use MPH.en_ZA
dc.description.departmentSocial Work and Criminologyen_ZA
dc.description.librarianhb2016en_ZA
dc.description.urihttp://www.sajp.org.za/index.php/sajpen_ZA
dc.identifier.citationSteyn F. Methylphenidate use and poly-substance use among undergraduate students attending a South African university. South African Journal of Psychiatry. 2016;22(1), art. 760, pp. 1-4. http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v22i1.760.en_ZA
dc.identifier.issn1608-9685 (print)
dc.identifier.issn2078-6786 (online)
dc.identifier.issn10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v22i1.760
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/52632
dc.language.isoenen_ZA
dc.publisherHealth and Medical Publishing Groupen_ZA
dc.rights© 2016. The Authors. Licensee: AOSIS. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License.en_ZA
dc.subjectUndergraduate studentsen_ZA
dc.subjectMethylphenidate hydrochloride (MPH)en_ZA
dc.subjectAttention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)en_ZA
dc.subjectSouth African universityen_ZA
dc.subjectPoly-substance useen_ZA
dc.titleMethylphenidate use and poly-substance use among undergraduate students attending a South African universityen_ZA
dc.typeArticleen_ZA

Files

Original bundle

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Name:
Steyn_Methylphenidate_2016.pdf
Size:
1.64 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Article

License bundle

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.75 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description: