Prevalence of Psychotropic Drug Use among Medical, Dentistry, and Pharmacy Students at the University of Basrah, Basra, Iraq

Background: The mental health of university students, particularly those in the medical field, is a topic of growing concern due to the demanding nature of their education. Objectives: To examine the prevalence of psychotropic drug use among university students in the health sector and explore the factors influencing their consumption. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to June 2024 at the University of Basrah across four colleges: the College of Medicine, Al-Zahraa College of Medicine, the College of Dentistry, and the College of Pharmacy. An online self-administered questionnaire was emailed to 2,811 students aged ≥18 years, with 715 responding. The survey covered demographics, psychotropic drug use, and psychological and social factors. Results: The present prevalence of psychotropic drug usage was 8.7% among the 715 participants. Out of 715 participants, 504 were students of the College of Medicine, of whom 48 students were utilized psychotropic medications (9.5%). Additionally, a strong association was observed between a history of psychological illness and drug use, as 90.6% (56) of students with psychotropic drug use reported a diagnosed psychological illness, compared to only 41.2% (6) who claimed the use of psychotropic drugs without clear or diagnosed psychological illness (P -value < 0.001). Among the commonly used drug classes, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors were the most frequently used, reported by 32 students (4.4%), followed by antipsychotic medications (n = 18, 2.5%), tricyclic antidepressants (n = 15, 2.1%), and sedative anxiolytics (n = 32, 4.4%). Conclusion: The study highlights a notable prevalence of psychotropic drug use among medical students, along with various associated factors. It offers insightful data and suggestions for institutional educational initiatives to enhance students' mental health.