Sedative drugs misuse among Egyptian medical students, facts and alarms, A cross-sectional study

Introduction: Medical education imposes significant stress on students, leading to various mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety disorders, and burnout. These issues are particularly pronounced among medical students in Egypt. Despite this, the misuse of sedative drugs among this population remains poorly understood and under-researched. _{Methods: A cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire was conducted among Egyptian medical students from February to April 2023. The questionnaire collected demographic data and assessed sedative drug use since enrollment in medical school. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests and point-biserial correlations, were used to analyze the data. Results: Out of 1,641 respondents, 257 (15.7%) reported using sedative drugs. Antihistamines were the most used type of sedative, with significant associations found between sedative drug use and academic year, family income, smoking, sleep duration, sleep quality, and sleep disorders. Discussion and Conclusion: The prevalence of sedative drug use among Egyptian medical students highlights a concerning issue that warrants attention. Factors such as academic stress, poor sleep quality, and higher family income were associated with higher sedative drug use. Addressing these issues through targeted interventions and support systems is crucial to mitigate the potential negative impacts on the well-being and future careers of medical students.}