Benzodiazepine Use Among Resident Doctors In Tertiary Care Hospital

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Medical Education
• Public Health

Background:

• Benzodiazepines (BZD) are widely used globally for conditions like anxiety and insomnia.
• Despite their common use, BZD are frequently misused, often in combination with other substances.
• Regulation of BZD prescription varies significantly between developed and developing countries, with OTC availability common in the latter.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence and patterns of benzodiazepine use among trainee doctors at Ayub Teaching Hospital.
• To identify specific benzodiazepine medications favored by medical residents and house officers.
• To understand the accessibility of benzodiazepines for self-medication among healthcare professionals.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study was conducted at Ayub Teaching Hospital from January to December 2018.
• A sample size of 276 residents and house officers was determined using the WHO sample size calculator.
• Stratified random sampling ensured representation across all years of residency.

Main Results:

• Nearly half (48.7%) of the participants reported using benzodiazepines.
• Male doctors (52.3%) were more likely to use BZD than their female counterparts.
• A significant majority (65.1%) purchased BZD over-the-counter without a prescription, with Alprazolam being the most preferred choice across specialties, except for anesthesia where Midazolam was more prevalent.

Conclusions:

• Healthcare professionals, due to their medical knowledge and self-treatment tendencies, are susceptible to benzodiazepine abuse.
• Doctors in psychiatry showed a higher likelihood of BZD use, with Alprazolam identified as the preferred agent.
• The study highlights the need for monitoring and potentially stricter controls on benzodiazepine access, even for medical professionals.