Opioid Use Disorders Attributed to Tramadol Among Egyptian University Students

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Substance Abuse Research

Background:

• Tramadol misuse presents a significant public health challenge in Egypt, with substantial medical and social ramifications, particularly among young populations.
• The extent of tramadol use and its associated factors among Egyptian university students remain largely unquantified.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of tramadol use among undergraduate students at Zagazig University in Egypt.
• To identify correlates associated with tramadol use within this student population.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 1135 undergraduate students from 10 colleges at Zagazig University.
• Participants were randomly selected and evaluated for tramadol use using the Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (DUDIT) and the Drug Use Disorders Identification Test-Extended (DUDIT-E).

Main Results:

• The prevalence of tramadol use was 12.3%, with significantly higher rates in males (20.2%) compared to females (2.4%).
• The average age of initiating tramadol use was 17.6 years. Most students (85%) used tramadol in combination with at least one other substance, and 60% experienced drug-related problems.
• Tramadol use was predicted by smoking, cannabis use, and alcohol consumption. Treatment readiness was negatively correlated with smoking duration.

Conclusions:

• Tramadol use is common among university students in Egypt, with a notable gender disparity.
• A significant association exists between tramadol use, smoking, and the consumption of other illicit substances.
• Further longitudinal research is recommended to establish causal relationships between tramadol use, smoking, and polysubstance use.