Factors related to psychotropic drugs consumption among the Spanish adult population.: Data from the Spanish National Health Surveys for 1993, 1995 and 1997

BACKGROUND: In this study, the aim is the identification of the factor associated with psychotropic drug use among the Spanish adult population. MATERIALS AND METHOD: A descriptive and cross-sectional survey is carried out using data from the Spanish National Health Surveys from 1993, 1995 and 1997. As subjects of the study we have chosen the spanish adult population (aged 16 plus). Independent variables: socio-demographic factors and health profile. Dependent variables are the overall consumption of psychotropic drug, both prescribed and no prescribed. RESULTS: Prevalence of psychotropic drug consumption is higher among women (6.9% in 1993; 9.9% in 1995, and 9.7% in 1997) than among men (3.1% in 1993; 4.8% in 1995, and 4.7% in 1997). According to multivariance analysis, alcohol consumption have negative association, anxiety or sleep disorder and depression seem to be strongly associated (OR = 22.44; CI 95%, 13.06-38.56 women, and OR = 42.97; CI 95%, 17.69-104.40 men). CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of psychotropic drug consumption is higher in women than in men. The most strongly associated variable is nervous or sleep disorder and depression.