Poster #106 - Predicting Non-Medical Prescription Drug Use among College Students

• In Event: 2-055 - Poster Session 06
  In Poster Session: PS 06 Section - Health, Growth, Injury

Integrative Statement

Introduction: Non-medical prescription drug use (NMPDU) is common on college campuses nationwide, with over 42% of students reporting NMPDU in their lifetime. NMPDU has negative psychological and physical consequences. Self-efficacy, how people perceive their capability in accomplishing tasks, has been linked to NMPDU in adolescents. However, little is known about other predictors of NMPDU among college students, such as peer influence or other substance use. The purpose of this study was to understand predictors of NMPDU among college students.
Methods: Incoming college freshmen were randomly selected from the registrar lists of a Midwestern and Northwestern university for recruitment in a longitudinal study; participants were included in this analysis if they completed a phone interview before their junior year. Variables of interest in addition to NMPDU included self-efficacy, gender, peer influence, and lifetime and current use of alcohol and other substances (hookah, marijuana, and tobacco). Logistic regression was performed using a priori predictor variables.
Results: Of the 275 college students interviewed (response rate 86%), 56% were female, 75% were Caucasian, and 57% were from the Midwestern University. NMPDU at some point in their lifetime was reported by 24% of respondents. A total of 55% of students reported lifetime hookah use, 50% reported tobacco use, 50% reported recent alcohol use, and 56% reported marijuana use. A total of 11% of students reported that their friends approved of NMPDU. Previous consumption of hookah (OR = 9.2, p = .002), recent alcohol use (OR = 5.3, p = .022), and marijuana use (OR = 4.8, p = .029) were significant predictors of NMPDU. A trend was noted that college student who identified as male or had more than half of their friends approve of NMPDU were more likely to engage in NMPDU. Tobacco use and self-efficacy were not significant predictors of NMPDU.
Conclusion: College students who use hookah, marijuana, and/or alcohol were the most likely to engage in NMPDU. In contrast to previous studies, self-efficacy was not associated with NMPDU. These results support polysubstance use is common among college students and could aid in identifying those at risk for NMPDU, which is important for targeting prevention efforts toward those vulnerable to initiation of NMPDU.

Authors

• Reese Hyzer, University of Wisconsin-Madison
  Presenting Author

• Jonathan D'Angelo, University of Wisconsin-Madison
  Non-Presenting Author

• Megan Moreno, University of Wisconsin-Madison
  Non-Presenting Author