ABSTRACT Background: The misuse of prescription drugs is becoming an increasing public health issue among college students in India, especially in metro cities like Delhi and Bangalore. Prescription drug misuse is, in general, defined as the use of prescribed medication which is not accompanied by a prescription or is being used in a different manner than the prescription states. This behavior is often linked to academic exertion along with social and emotional distress. While global studies document the existence and effect of misuse of such drugs, there seems to be no empirical evidence in the Indian context. The objective of this study was to assess the misuse of prescription medicine amongst college students in Bangalore and Delhi to help formulate an appropriate guide for intervention aimed at harm reduction. Methodology: A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted with 542 undergraduate and postgraduate students aged 18–25 years from both public and private colleges in Delhi and Bangalore. The sample was representative as stratified random sampling was used. Using a structured questionnaire which had parts based on the World Health Organization Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test and the College Prescription Drug Study, data on demographics, type and frequency of drug misuse, sources of access, motives and health effects were collected. Analysis was done using SPSS through descriptive statistics, Chi-square, and binary logistic regression with a significance level set at P < 0.05. After obtaining ethical approval for the study, the confidentiality of the participants was maintained. Results: The research found that 36.5% of the participants had misused prescription drugs at least once, with higher figures in Delhi (38.5%) compared to Bangalore (34.5%). The most common misused substances were sedatives (62.1%), stimulants (49.0%), and opioid pain relievers (44.90%). Primary reasons included coping with academic stress (64.6%), relaxing (52.5%), and peer pressure (38.9%). Friends (56.1%) and pharmacies that dispense drugs without prescriptions (43.9%) were the major sources of access. Health consequences included disturbed sleep (53.5%), chronic fatigue (47.5%), anxiety (41.9%), and feeling of being addicted (36.4%). Conclusion: The misuse of prescription drugs among Indian college students is alarming and is associated with academic stress, emotional problems, and peer pressure. The informal access to these drugs only worsens the situation. The health risks of these conditions indicate the need for thorough approaches that include mental health care, tighter control over pharmacies, and education in colleges on the problem. Addressing these factors in a comprehensive way will reduce misuse and enhance the health and well-being of the students.
Khajuria et al. (Tue,) studied this question.