142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

Annual Meeting Recordings are now available for purchase

310089
Examining the rural influence on non medical prescription drug use (NMPDU) in a university population: Pilot phase 1

142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (November 15 - November 19, 2014): http://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/annual
Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Emily Eisenhart, MA , Center for Addiction Recovery, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
Bettye Apenteng, PhD , Department of Health Policy and Management, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
Claire Robb, PhD, MPH , Department of Epidemiology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
Yelena N. Tarasenko, DrPH, MPH, MPA , Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
Jamie Cromley, MPH , Center for Addiction Recovery, Statesboro, GA
Adrian Badana, B.Sc. , Department of Epidemiology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
Daniel Linder, PhD, MPH , Department of Biostatistics, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
The prevalence of prescription drug misuse and abuse has increased dramatically, particularly in young adults age 18-25. Recent research now indicates that young adults living in rural communities are more likely than their urban counterparts to abuse prescription drugs.  The purpose of this 2-phase, exploratory study is twofold: 1) to examine the prevalence rates and correlates of nonmedical prescription drug (NMPDU) use among college students on a rural southeastern college campus, and 2) to examine how environmental factors, specifically coming from a rural environment (vs. urban) and living in a rural college environment affect students’ current collegiate NMPDU. 

This study used mixed-methods study design with focus groups (Phase 1) to inform a campus-wide survey (Phase 2).  For Phase 1, 40 students (32 from the general student population; 8 from the Center for Addiction Recovery) were recruited to participate in 5 focus groups of 8 students each.  Focus groups were recorded and these audio files were transcribed into text files which were loaded into Atlas.ti, a qualitative data analysis software, for analysis. Classical three-pass coding was performed. Open-ended coding during the first pass-through to locate themes and assign initial codes, the second pass, combined themes to form cluster of concepts from open coding, The final coding was used to determine the types of comparisons, and select relevant themes to guide Phase 2.  Higher prevalence of NMPDU in the rural environment is discussed as well as perceptions of NMPDU gleaned from these focus groups

Learning Areas:

Advocacy for health and health education
Diversity and culture
Epidemiology
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Describe the prevalence of nonmedical prescription drug use among college students at a rural southeastern college campus. Identify correlates of nonmedical prescription drug use among college students at a rural southeastern college campus. Identify possible influences of rural and urban background on nonmedical prescription drug use among college students at a rural southeastern college campus.

Keyword(s): Prescription Drug Abuse and Misuse, Rural Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I was involved in the conceptualization, design and conduct of this study as well as in the analysis and interpretation of resulting data.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.