Variables Associated with the Use of Psychotropic Medications by Brazilian University Students

Abstract

Background: University life is a phase of developing personal and professional skills, but it brings challenges such as distancing from family and supporting networks, difficulties with academic tasks, loneliness, new relationships, competitiveness, and social, socioeconomic, and psychological vulnerability, among others. These conditions can lead to the development of illnesses such as anxiety, depression, sleeping disorders, suicide, self-harming, and excessive drug use, including psychotropic medications. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the use of psychotropic medications and its association with sociodemographic, academic, behavioral, and health variables in Brazilian university students.   

Methods: A cross-sectional, quantitative research, with a sampling of 524 students from a Brazilian public Higher Education Institution (Federal University of Mato Grosso - UFMT). The collection took place from October 10th to December 30th, 2022. An online questionnaire was applied with sociodemographic and clinical questions—the General Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire-7 (GAD-7) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). The data were descriptively and inferentially analyzed; in the descriptive analysis, the absolute (FA) and relative (FR) frequencies of each category investigated were presented; and for bi- and multivariate analyses, Poisson regression with robust estimation was used.   

Results: The participants were at the median age of 22 years old, the majority were female (69.7%), heterosexual (68.1%), with medium/high subjective social status (82.4%) and without being involved in a romantic relationship (54%). The prevalence of psychotropic medication use was 26.1%, considering that 17.5% was not prescribed by a medical professional. The most used class of medications was antidepressants (91 participants), followed by natural medicines (38 participants). Among the segments associated with the use of psychotropic drugs were female individuals, romantic relationships, perception of academic performance by postgraduate students, and previous diagnoses of mental or mood disorders (depression and anxiety).   

Conclusions: The results obtained highlight the importance of research on mental health among university students, especially regarding the use of psychotropic drugs, which must be monitored by a qualified professional. At the university, these data can be important for the development of policies aimed at health and life quality, in addition to contributing to the strengthening of national and international partnerships, and promoting the scientific production in the area.