Consumption of psychodrugs. Influence of family dysfunction

Abstract

Introduction. The objective of this study is to know the prevalence of psychodrug consumption in Primary Health Care, related factors and influence of the family factor on this consumption.

Methods. Observational cross sectional study carried out in an urban Health Care Center. A total of 434 patients older than 14 years old, who are health care consumers, were included. They were selected by systematic sampling for 6 consecutives weeks. Psychodrugs consumption and related factors were measured by a questionnaire designed for this purpose. The questionnaire was filled out by personal interview and case history revision. Existence of family dysfunction was determined by self-applied Apgar-family questionnaire.

Results. Prevalence of psychodrugs consumption was 26 % (95 % CI: 22-30). A total of 53 % were benzodiazepines and 27 % were antidepressants (73 % are SSRI). There was family dysfunction in 20% of consumers and 12% of non-consumers, which is a statistically significant difference (p < 0.01). By logistic regression, being between 45-64 years old (OR:3.18), or more than 65 years old (OR:3.29), being female (OR: 2.2), being a housewife (OR:3.07), having psychiatric background (OR: 15.2) and having important family dysfunction in the Apgar-family questionnaire (OR:7,19) were the variables which appeared as associated with this consumption.

Conclusions. Consumption of psychodrugs in Primary Health Care consumers is 26 %. Being 45 years old or more, female and housewife are possible factors which predict psychodrugs consumption. Psychiatric disease antecedents and having important family dysfunction are also associated independently. These should be kept in mind to improve medical prescription of these drugs in Primary Health Care.