Psychotropic medication consumption in the general population of Buenos Aires City. Comparison 2005-2017

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of psychotropic use among inhabitants of Buenos Aires city and to compare it with the study done in 2005. Methods: A survey was conducted among 899 inhabitants of different districts of Buenos Aires city between September and October 2017 with a modified survey used in 2005. Results: At the time of the survey, 22,4% of the general population of Buenos Aires city used some kind of psychotropic medication. There were significant consumption differences by age and level of income but not by educational level. There were no sex differences in present consumption but there were in life time use of psychotropics. Almost the third part of the consumers use them without medical advice. There is a significative increase in present consumption compared with the one 12 years ago (p < 0.001). Discussion: The use of psychotropics is highly widespread among the population of Buenos Aires city and has continued increasing. The understanding of the causes of this increase will allow to implement measures for an adequate medical control and to prevent the irrational use of these medications.