Year: 2017
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: The misuse of benzodiazepines is a well know public health problem.For this reason, it is more and more relevant to monitor misuse and try to implement solutions.We aim to understand the use of benzodiazepines in a health center population in the city of Porto, as well the connections with present, past and future psychological intervention.We have built a questionnaire to assess usage of both benzodiazepines and psychological services.Our sample population included individuals older than 18 years who picked up our questionnaire in health center waiting rooms.A total of 352 participants, 258 females and 92 males, answered the questionnaire.Results points to an excessive use of benzodiazepines, especially in older persons, divorced or widowed, and females.We found a significant association between the current interest in receiving psychological intervention and the use of benzodiazepines.In the same way, the participants who have received psychological intervention use benzodiazepines less in comparison to the participants who are still receiving psychological intervention.In conclusion, there is an abuse of benzodiazepines in this health center, and few access to psychological intervention that may have good results reducing benzodiazepines abuse.
Authors: Joana Regalado, José Carlos Rocha, Ivone Duarte, Catarina Canário, Inês Sampaio, Sílvia Marina, Miguel Ricou
Language: English
Subfield: Geriatrics and Gerontology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W2777202062