Benzodiazepines utilization and self-medication as correlates of stress in the population of Serbia.

摘要: Background High consumption of benzodiazepines (BDZ) occurs in populations exposed to stress. In the last decade 20th century, when population Serbia experienced increasing economic hardships due civil war former Yugoslavia, UN sanctions and air raids 1999, diazepam became most frequently prescribed drug. This period was also characterized by free marketing all drugs, which made them available without prescription. Objective To investigate pattern use BDZ Belgrade 1990–2001. Materials Methods Data on benzodiazapines prescribing wholesale general were collected. a cross-sectional study drug practice data obtained from 1800 patient records primary health care centers Serbia. Statistical analysis performed using standard non-parametric tests. Results Annual rates 1990 1999 rather uniform (approx. 25 DDD/1000 inhabitants/day), with slight tendency decrease. as whole, there significant differences annual over 1998–2000. The significantly increased between 1991 2001, peak 133 inhabitants/day 1999. greater that corresponding years. Over 10 year period, numbers visits GPs psychiatrists number neurotic diagnoses reduced. psychiatric hospital compared 1998, although admissions occupancy beds care, predominantly for non-psychiatric diagnoses. Conclusions It is concluded decade, utilization Serbia, indicating clear trend self-medication, particularly acute crisis. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.