Adolescent Medication Misuse: Results from the MUSC Inventory of Medication Experiences (MIME)

To survey a diverse high school population on current prescription and over-the-counter medication misuse behaviors and attitudes.

We administered the MUSC Inventory of Medication Experiences (MIME), a newly developed self-report instrument, in demographically diverse high schools in Charleston, SC, to assess the feasibility of its administration and determine characteristics associated with medication misuse among high school students.

A total of 3182 students completed the MIME (93% completion rate). Nearly one-third (31%) reported misuse of a medication more than once a month. Analysis was conducted to evaluate associations between misuse and age (<15=33%, 15=32%, 16=33%, 17=30%, 18=26%, >18=34%; p=.35), grade (9=29%, 10=32%, 11=33%, 12=30%; p=.22), race (White 34%, African-American 26%, others 30%; p<.001), gender (M=32%, F=28%; p=.01), parent/guardian level of education (college=30%; p=.12), if a participant was prescribed medication (yes=46%, no=21%; p<.001), if a family member was prescribed medication (yes=40%, no=26%; p<.001), and if a family member had ever offered their prescribed medication to the student (yes=91%, no=29%; p<.001).

Medication misuse may be more pervasive than originally thought, with a notably high level among those most familiar with medications.