Study of Stimulants in Egypt
Conditions
Keywords
Prevalence, awareness, attitudes, Stimulant drug, Egyptian universities
Brief summary
Stimulants are dangerous drugs that are commonly abused by individuals looking to stay alert and focused, lose weight, stay awake, and get high. Although these drugs can be extremely harmful and even life-threatening, many of them can also be used to treat conditions like ADHD, narcolepsy, and in some cases, depression. There are many types of stimulant drugs, and it can be beneficial to know a little about each one, its purposes, and how harmful it can be when abused. Illicit stimulants are usually schedule II, depending on whether or not they can be used to treat medical conditions. While some variations of stimulants are schedule I drugs, most are extremely addictive and dangerous schedule II substances. These drugs are often abused in a binge-crash pattern. According to the NIDA Teen, In order to keep the 'high' going, people may take the drug repeatedly within a short period of time, at increasingly higher doses. This makes these drugs extremely addictive. The aim of this survey to detect prevalence of non prescription stimulants in Egyptian students and increase their awareness of the harmful effects of these drugs.
Detailed description
Methodology Undergraduate students at a large public university in Egypt (Minia, Assuit, Souhag, South Valley) who were 18 years of age or older took the survey in 2024. All survey and recruitment materials were approved by Minia University, faculty of pharmacy. Students will receive survey through email. Students took the survey online at a time and location of their choice. No time limit was imposed. Participants will automatically routed through each section of the survey. First, students read a description of the study, including potential benefits and costs of taking the survey, and then they will be asked if they are a current undergraduate student at the participating university and their age. First section included the demographic data of participants, the second section the investigator will aske participants to indicate if they had ever been prescribed a stimulant. If participant answered yes, participants will route to the next section which asks about the frequency of use, the effects of stimulants and any complain if present.
Interventions
OTHERquestionnaire
observational study
Sponsors
Asmaa Ahmed Hamed Mohie Eldin
Study design
Observational model
OTHER
Time perspective
CROSS_SECTIONAL
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 30 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
\- Academic student Age (18-30) years Included in medical faculty
Exclusion criteria
* Not undergraduates student Aged \< 18 years
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Prevalence/ pattern | 1 year | * \- Do/ did you use stimulants ( Recreational drugs): Yes No * How do / did you obtain this medication Prescribed Non prescribed * When did you start receiving stimulants for last 1 year for last 3 years for last 5 years * Which Stimulant (drug) is/ was used * tobacco products (e.g., coffee, chocolate, cigarettes) high caffeine products * pseudoephedrine, ( nasal decongestant) * methylphenidate \[Ritalin\] * amphetamine \[Adderall\] * methamphetamine * modafinil (Provigil) * dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine) * dextro/levoamphetamine (Adderall) * adrafinil (Olmifon) * piracetam * Others |
| Awareness/ attitude | 1 year | \- How do you know about the effect of stimulants: Substance use by peers Friends as a source of prescription stimulants Social media Promotion * Why do you use stimulant Because it helps me concentrate Because it helps me study and enhance memory Because it helps increase my alertness and concentration Because it gives me a high mood Because it helps me to be more energetic Because it improves sleep quality Because it decreases stress level Because of experimentation Because it helps me lose weight * Do you know that stimulant is harmful to the body systems Yes No * Which of the following side effects do you experience after using stimulant * decreased appetite * weight loss * headache * insomnia * dizziness * nervousness. * Seizures * cardiac events (increase blood pressure and heart rate, heart attacks) * psychosis * Did you receive treatment for the side effects after using stimulants Yes No |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Demographic data | 1 year | \- Age: 18-20 20-22 22-25 \- Sex: Male Female \- Residence: Rural Urban * University Minia Assiut South Valley Suhag * Faculty Pharmacy Medicine * Academic Year: First tear second year Third year fourth year Fifth year * Cigarette smoking Yes No * Associated disorder: psychic (e.g. ADHD) * income or economic level Low income moderate income high income * visits to emergency department or hospital (times/ year) 1-3 4-10 11-15 \>15 |
Countries
Egypt
Outcome results
None listed