Perceived therapeutic effects of street drugs affect knowledge, attitude and practice of medical and health students

Abstract

Objective: Cultural factors may influence health. Street drugs (SDs) and traditional medicines are commonly used in Iran. Opium has been recommended for pain relief and diarrhea in Iranian traditional medicine. This study seeks to explain the potential knowledge, attitude and practice of students towards the therapeutic effects of SDs. It further seeks to hypothesize cultural and ethnic related SDs use.

Methods: A construct validated questionnaire was piloted and used. Over 800 students of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran were invited to participate in this study ranging in age from 16 to 52 years and included 520 females and 289 males, respectively.

Results: Knowledge of potential therapeutic use of SDs, declared by 73%, was significantly associated with attitude (odds ratio (CI 95%) 1.62 (1.11, 2.37) and the recommendation of use to others (1.79 (1.08, 2.97)).

Conclusion: Growing use of SDs is, at least in part, influenced by being marketed as medications. Drug abuse could be culturally or ethnically oriented.

• Attitude
• ethnic groups
• knowledge
• practice
• street drugs
• traditional medicine

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank all participants of this study. Kind administerial help of Miss Aazam Mihandust is highly appreciated. We also appreciate helps and scientific supports of Addiction Research center’s high council members.