Suela Kellici1, Ela Hoti, Genc Burazeri. 1. Pharmaceutical Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tirana, Tirana, Albania. skellici@gmail.com
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There is little evidence on benzodiazepine misuse and associated factors in transitional countries of the Western Balkans. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the level and socioeconomic correlates of misuse of benzodiazepine drugs in the Albanian adult population. METHOD: We conducted a cross-sectional study including a representative sample of 422 individuals (158 men and 264 women) who were benzodiazepines users. A structured questionnaire included data on age, gender, type of drug used, and awareness of possibility to develop dependence and continuation of therapy after prescription. RESULTS: 289 individuals reported treatment continuation compared with 89 participants who reported no continuation of benzodiazepine drugs. There were no significant age group (P = 0.351), sex (P = 0.454), or educational differences (P = 0.117) in treatment continuation. Age was inversely related to the awareness of becoming dependent with the prolonged use of benzodiazepines (78.4% of the persons aged ≤40 years were aware of the dependence versus 51.9% in the age group >40 years; P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Our study provides pioneering evidence on the use and misuse of benzodiazepines in Albania. Findings from this study may influence the reforms and policy formulation related to drug misuse in Albania.
BACKGROUND: There is little evidence on benzodiazepine misuse and associated factors in transitional countries of the Western Balkans. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the level and socioeconomic correlates of misuse of benzodiazepine drugs in the Albanian adult population. METHOD: We conducted a cross-sectional study including a representative sample of 422 individuals (158 men and 264 women) who were benzodiazepines users. A structured questionnaire included data on age, gender, type of drug used, and awareness of possibility to develop dependence and continuation of therapy after prescription. RESULTS: 289 individuals reported treatment continuation compared with 89 participants who reported no continuation of benzodiazepine drugs. There were no significant age group (P = 0.351), sex (P = 0.454), or educational differences (P = 0.117) in treatment continuation. Age was inversely related to the awareness of becoming dependent with the prolonged use of benzodiazepines (78.4% of the persons aged ≤40 years were aware of the dependence versus 51.9% in the age group >40 years; P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Our study provides pioneering evidence on the use and misuse of benzodiazepines in Albania. Findings from this study may influence the reforms and policy formulation related to drug misuse in Albania.
Authors: Sylvie Petitjean; Dieter Ladewig; Christoph R Meier; Roman Amrein; Gerhard A Wiesbeck Journal: Int Clin Psychopharmacol Date: 2007-09 Impact factor: 1.659
Authors: N Magrini; A Vaccheri; E Parma; R D'Alessandro; A Bottoni; M Occhionero; N Montanaro Journal: Eur J Clin Pharmacol Date: 1996 Impact factor: 2.953