Pattern of Benzodiazepine use in Nurses

Abstract

Background: Nurses are more prone to benzodiazepines’use that can lead to dependence. There is lack of work on this subject in local literature. Our study aimed to know the pattern of benzodiazepines’use in nurses.

Methodology: This cross sectional descriptive study was carried out in three tertiary care teaching hospitals of Peshawar during the period from 1-08-2006 to 30-11-2006. Seven hundred nurses were recruited in the study via convenient sampling. Sociodemographic details were recorded with the help of anonymous proforma. A questionnaire was administered to know the pattern of use of benzodiazepines. The data was labeled and descriptive statistics calculated with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 16.

Results: Out of 700 nurses 97(14%) reported benzodiazepines’ use, out of which (71)73% reported using by themselves (self medication). Among the users Lexotanil (bromazepam), valium(diazepam) and ativan (lorazepam) were used by 64(66%),29(30%) and 4(4%) respectively. These drugs were used for problem of sleep by 62.8% worry 20.6% depression12.3% and others like pain, etc 4.1%. The drugs were used by 28(29%) for four weeks period continuously. When responses to the question “Can you stop this drug” were collected, 87(90%) were “Yes, 7(7%) “No” and 3(3%) were “No answer” responses.

Conclusion: Benzodizepines are used by adequate number of nurses mostly without prescription. Bromazepam by trade name “Lexotanil” was the most commonly used benzodiazepin. More than half of them used these drugs for sleep problem. Although approximately one fourth used them for longer period of four months yet nine out of each ten were unable to stop, showing sign of dependence.