Benzodiazepine dependence in Singapore.
The study, conducted in 2003-2005, was aimed at investigating the pattern of benzodiazepine (BZD) use and the attitudes and perceptions of doctors' prescribing practices by a hundred BZD-dependent patients in Singapore. Data on patients' demographic characteristics, psychiatric profiles, patterns of BZD use, and perceptions about doctors' prescribing practices were collected. A benzodiazepine dependence self-report questionnaire (Bendep-SRQ) was also administered. The mean age of the study participants was 39.4 years (SD = 9.7); 88% were Chinese, 58% were males, 46% were married, 48% had received secondary school education, and 48% were unemployed. BZD abuse in Singapore is contributed to by both doctor-shopping behavior and doctors' prescribing practices. Doctors need training on the assessment and management of BZD dependence. The study's limitations were noted. This project was supported by an institutional block grant received from the National Medical Research Council, Singapore.
Community Addiction Management Program, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore.
Yanhong
Y
Dong
Munidasa
M
Winslow
Yiong Huak
YH
Chan
Mythily
M
Subramaniam
Gregory
G
Whelan
D000328:Adult; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000600:supply & distribution; D008297:Male; D008306:Malingering / Q000523:psychology; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D010820:Physicians / Q000592:standards; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012846:Singapore / Q000453:epidemiology; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D001569:Benzodiazepines