New Psychoactive Substances

Awareness and Attitudes of Future Health Care Professionals in Serbia

Bibliographic Data

ID15465647
AuthorsVesna Mijatović (0000-0002-3200-0676, University of Novi Sad, corresponding author), Vesna Mijatović Jovin (University of Novi Sad), Nina Skoko (University of Novi Sad), Ana Tomás (0000-0003-2361-872X, University of Novi Sad), Dejan Živanović (0000-0001-8232-9368, Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Vocational Studies for the Education of Preschool Teachers and Sports Trainers, 24000 Subotica, Serbia), Darija Sazdanić (University of Novi Sad), Nemanja Gvozdenović (0000-0001-8501-8389, University of Novi Sad), Ana-Marija Vejnović (0000-0002-2467-542X, University of Novi Sad)
Year2022
Volume19
Issue22
Pages14877-14877
Publication date2022-11-11
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph192214877
PMID36429596
OpenAlexW4308972790
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited27

This study was conducted in order to evaluate prospective health care professionals' (HCPs) awareness and attitudes regarding new psychoactive substances (NPSs) in the context of their future role in the prevention and treatment of NPS overdose and addiction. Correlates of NPS perception and use were also examined. This cross-sectional survey was performed on 490 students of the Faculty of Medicine, Novi Sad, Serbia, during 2017. NPS awareness was better in pharmacy students (IRR: 1.926, CI: 1.173-3.163, p = 0.010) than in medicine students-pharmacy students recognized 92.6% more NPS names than their peers studying medicine. Female students knew 36.5% less NPS names than their male colleagues (IRR: 0.635, CI: 0.399-1.013, p = 0.049). Number of NPS names students knew was rising by 15.9% with each age group-the higher the age, the larger the number of NPSs they were aware of (IRR: 1.159, CI: 1.025-1.310, p = 0.018). Students who had used marijuana knew 52.6% more NPS names than those who had never had experience with cannabis (IRR: 1.526, CI: 0.953-2.445, p = 0.049). Although a high number of future HCPs claimed to know what NPSs are, numerous misconceptions were noticed. Further educational efforts are necessary to improve their awareness and attitudes regarding NPSs

Addiction · Cannabis · Context (archaeology · Family medicine · Health care · Health professionals · Psychiatry · Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis · Medicine · Opioid Use Disorder Treatment · Psychedelics and Drug Studies · Psychology · Pharmacy

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