A general population survey on patterns of benzodiazepine use and dependence in Lebanon.
OBJECTIVE
In Lebanon, benzodiazepines are often available without medical prescription. We aimed to carry out the first community-based pharmaco-epidemiological study on benzodiazepine consumption in the Middle East Area.


METHODS
The prevalence of past-month benzodiazepine use was assessed in a 1000-subject randomized sample from the Lebanese community, and risk factors were studied in a group of 496 current users.


RESULTS
Benzodiazepine use during the past month was found in 9.6% of subjects. Four variables were significantly associated with use: age higher than 45 years, female sex, cigarette smoking and the existence of a recent life event. Benzodiazepine dependence was found in 50.2% of users.


CONCLUSIONS
Benzodiazepine use in Lebanon is particularly high, and can be related to well-known factors such as female sex and age, but other potent specific variables, such as war stress or the lack of control on drug access, can be hypothesized.
Naja
W J
WJ
Bhannes Hospital, Dahr El Sawan, Lebanon.
Pelissolo
A
A
Haddad
R S
RS
Baddoura
R
R
Baddoura
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007861:Lebanon / Q000453:epidemiology; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines