TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2018//
TI  - Non-medical prescription stimulant use to improve academic performance among Australian university students: prevalence and correlates of use
JO  - BMC public health
A1  - Lucke, Jayne
A1  - Jensen, Charmaine
A1  - Dunn, Matthew
A1  - Chan, Gary
A1  - Forlini, Cynthia
A1  - Kaye, Sharlene
A1  - Partridge, Bradley
A1  - Farrell, Michael
A1  - Racine, Eric
A1  - Hall, Wayne
SP  - e1270
EP  - e1270
VL  - 18
IS  - 1
N2  - BACKGROUND: Some university students consume pharmaceutical stimulants without a medical prescription with the goal of improving their academic performance. The prevalence of this practice has been well documented in the US, but less so in other countries. The potential harms of using prescription stimulants require a better understanding of the prevalence of this practice within Australian universities. <br><br>METHODS: An internet survey of 1136 Australian students was conducted in 2015 in three large Australian universities. Students were asked about their personal use of prescription stimulants, attitudes and experiences with prescription stimulants. They were also asked about their use of caffeine, energy drinks and illicit drugs to enhance their academic performance. <br><br>RESULTS: Lifetime self-reported use of stimulant medication to improve academic performance was 6.5, and 4.4% in the past year. Students were far more likely to report using coffee and energy drinks (41.4 and 23.6% respectively, lifetime use) than prescription stimulants to help them study and complete university assessments. Non-medical use of prescription stimulants was strongly associated with a history of illicit drug use. <br><br>CONCLUSION: The prevalence of nonmedical prescription stimulant use to improve academic performance is low among university students in Australia, especially when compared with their use of coffee and energy drinks.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1471-2458
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-6212-0
ID  - ref1
ER  -