Prevalence of psychoactive substance use among medical students in the EMRO region

Background: The use of psychoactive substances is a growing global public health concern because of its high prevalence and associated risks of morbidity and mortality. In the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO), this issue is particularly pressing among medical students, as it can impact their academic performance, mental health and future professional behaviour. Aim: This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to determine the prevalence and patterns of psychoactive substance use among medical students in the EMRO region. Setting: Studies conducted in the EMRO region were included in the analysis. Method: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science, identifying eligible studies. A random-effects model was used to estimate pooled prevalence rates, and meta-regression was performed to assess factors influencing prevalence variation. Results: Ten studies were included in the study. The pooled prevalence of alcohol consumption among medical students was 9.52% (95% confidence interval [CI]: [4.82–17.93]), which decreased to 5.92% (95% CI: [4.59–7.60]) after removing outliers (I2 = 81.3%). Meta-regression indicated that studies with sample sizes above 500 reported lower prevalence than smaller studies (β = –1.55, 95% CI: [–2.89; –0.21]). The pooled prevalence of illicit drug use was 9.89% (95% CI: [4.67–19.75]) and 7.78% (95% CI: [3.71–15.58]) after outlier removal. Conclusion: Substance use among medical students in the EMRO region remains a significant concern. Contribution: This study highlights the urgent need for preventive strategies to raise awareness and promote healthier behaviours among medical students.