USE OF ANTIHYPERTENSIVE DRUGS AMONG MEDICAL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Objective. To assess the range of medications and analyze the real-world use of antihypertensive drugs among medical university students (Grodno, Belarus). Methods. An anonymous survey of 162 students of Grodno State Medical University (years 1–5) was conducted using a Google Forms questionnaire. Data were collected on the presence of elevated blood pressure, nonpharmacological methods of its correction, antihypertensive drug therapy, and students’ lifestyle characteristics, including physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, intake of table salt, coffee, and caffeine-containing beverages. Results. Elevated blood pressure was identified in 21.6% of respondents. Antihypertensive drugs are currently used or have been used by 17.3% of students. The most commonly used medications were angiotensinconverting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (enalapril 39.3%, lisinopril 25.0%) and modern β-blockers (bisoprolol 21.4%, nebivolol 14.3%). Economic factors significantly influence drug choice, with low-cost generics predominating. Treatment adherence was low, with 32% of students reporting forgetting to take medications on time. Non-pharmacological methods were used by 25% of students with arterial hypertension. Conclusion. The findings highlight the need to strengthen educational efforts aimed at early detection of arterial hypertension, its prevention, and improving adherence to antihypertensive therapy among medical students.