PREVALENCE AND UTILIZATION PATTERNS OF PROPRANOLOL IN THE MANAGEMENT OF SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER AMONG HEALTH SCIENCES STUDENTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL ANALYSIS
Author(s)
Abdullah A. Alalwan, MS, PharmD, PhD1, Mohammed Albulayhid, PharmD2, Nouf Alfaez, PharmD2, Ashwaq Alharbi, PharmD2, Rama Aldubaikhy, PharmD2, Hayam Altuwaijri, PharmD2, Khaled Alqarni, PharmD2;
1Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia, 2Qassim University, Qassim, Saudi Arabia
1Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia, 2Qassim University, Qassim, Saudi Arabia
OBJECTIVES: The study aims to evaluate the prevalence and pattern of beta-blocker use to manage SAD among health sciences students.
METHODS: A cross-sectional, descriptive study that surveyed health sciences students from all universities across Saudi Arabia. Data were collected between April 1 and May 30, 2024, using an electronic, self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire included two parts: the socio-demographic data and the assessment of the use of propranolol in the management of SAD.
RESULTS: The study involved 1,041 health sciences students. The prevalence of propranolol users among health sciences students was 14.4%. Self-medication with propranolol was reported by 70.0% of the users. Among those who reported propranolol use, only 42.7% were diagnosed with SAD and 36.7% also reported using psychoactive drugs, primarily Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors. Two-third of the propranolol’s users were female students, more than half of the users of propranolol were senior students 52.0%, and the majority of the users reported having a very good or excellent GPA 81.3%.
CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of self-medication for SAD among health sciences students indicates significant safety concerns associated with medication use risks and adverse drug reactions. Potential underdiagnosis of SAD among health sciences students suggest a need for increase screening and awareness to provide appropriate management.
METHODS: A cross-sectional, descriptive study that surveyed health sciences students from all universities across Saudi Arabia. Data were collected between April 1 and May 30, 2024, using an electronic, self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire included two parts: the socio-demographic data and the assessment of the use of propranolol in the management of SAD.
RESULTS: The study involved 1,041 health sciences students. The prevalence of propranolol users among health sciences students was 14.4%. Self-medication with propranolol was reported by 70.0% of the users. Among those who reported propranolol use, only 42.7% were diagnosed with SAD and 36.7% also reported using psychoactive drugs, primarily Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors. Two-third of the propranolol’s users were female students, more than half of the users of propranolol were senior students 52.0%, and the majority of the users reported having a very good or excellent GPA 81.3%.
CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of self-medication for SAD among health sciences students indicates significant safety concerns associated with medication use risks and adverse drug reactions. Potential underdiagnosis of SAD among health sciences students suggest a need for increase screening and awareness to provide appropriate management.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-05, ISPOR 2026, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue S6
Code
EPH14
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health