Stimulant use among prehospital emergency care personnel in Gauteng Province, South Africa.
| Autor: | Van Rooyen LR; Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. ljuba.vrooyen@gmail.com., Gihwala R, Laher AE |
|---|---|
| Jazyk: | angličtina |
| Zdroj: | South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde [S Afr Med J] 2021 May 31; Vol. 111 (6), pp. 587-590. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 May 31. |
| DOI: | 10.7196/SAMJ.2021.v111i6.15465 |
| Abstrakt: | Background: Emergency medical service (EMS) personnel are exposed to high levels of psychological, physical and emotional stressors. There has been an increase in stimulant use among healthcare professionals worldwide. There is a paucity of data pertaining to the use of stimulant products among EMS personnel in South Africa (SA). Objectives: To determine the prevalence of and other aspects pertaining to use of stimulant products among EMS personnel in Gauteng Province, SA. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study using a questionnaire-based model was used to survey EMS personnel in Gauteng. Results: Of the 315 respondents who completed the questionnaire, 310 (98.4%) reported use of stimulant products, 295 (93.7%) consumed tea/coffee, 187 (59.4%) consumed commercial energy drinks, 60 (19.0%) used caffeinated energy-enhancing tablets, 14 (4.4%) used non-caffeinated prescription stimulant medications, 50 (15.9%) used illicit drugs, 134 (42.5%) exceeded the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of caffeine, 201 (63.8%) exceeded the RDA of sugar, 231 (73.3%) experienced difficulty remaining awake during a shift, 148 (47.8%) used stimulants off shift, and 71 (22.5%) experienced insomnia. Common reasons for use of stimulants were enjoyment (n=218; 69.2%), to stay awake (n=125; 39.7%) and improvement of physical and mental performance (n=94; 29.8%). Conclusions: The high prevalence of stimulant use among respondents is a cause for concern. Strategies to address it should be aimed at promoting awareness and education, improving working conditions, enhancing support structures, and regulating the stimulant content of commercial products. |
| Databáze: | MEDLINE |
| Externí odkaz: |
|