Assessing Prevalence, Knowledge and Use of Cognitive Enhancers among University Students in the United Arab Emirates: A quantitative study
Introduction: The use of prescription stimulants for cognitive enhancement by healthy university students, identified as the largest cohort of cognitive enhancer (CE) users, is of growing interest. The purpose of this study was to look at the understanding, perception, experience, and level of acces...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Emerging Trends in Drugs, Addictions, and Health |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667118223000715 |
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| author | S. Sharif S. Fergus A. Guirguis N. Smeeton F. Schifano |
| author_facet | S. Sharif S. Fergus A. Guirguis N. Smeeton F. Schifano |
| author_sort | S. Sharif |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: The use of prescription stimulants for cognitive enhancement by healthy university students, identified as the largest cohort of cognitive enhancer (CE) users, is of growing interest. The purpose of this study was to look at the understanding, perception, experience, and level of access of CEs among healthy university students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods: The study was conducted in six highly competitive university programmes. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 university students to discuss their own experiences and those of their friends and peers regarding the use of prescription stimulants. In addition, semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven teaching faculty staff members (Registered pharmacists and Medical doctors) to explore their views on the use of CEs in their university. Results: Data were analysed thematically for the identification of themes and subthemes within the data using coding. It was found that, ‘Adderall’ was the most common prescribed CE drug and caffeine supper strength pills were the most common non-prescribed CE drug, both reported to enhance concentration, motivation, and meet academic deadlines. Conclusions: It is expected that the findings of this study will be of interest to a wide range of services in UAE universities. This will enable them to raise awareness about the use of CEs among students. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-85fd9ea91c88410084576477acc7791e |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2667-1182 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Emerging Trends in Drugs, Addictions, and Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-85fd9ea91c88410084576477acc7791e2025-08-20T01:56:34ZengElsevierEmerging Trends in Drugs, Addictions, and Health2667-11822024-12-01410012010.1016/j.etdah.2023.100120Assessing Prevalence, Knowledge and Use of Cognitive Enhancers among University Students in the United Arab Emirates: A quantitative studyS. Sharif0S. Fergus1A. Guirguis2N. Smeeton3F. Schifano4University of Hertfordshire, UKUniversity of Hertfordshire, UKUniversity of Hertfordshire, UKUniversity of Hertfordshire, UKUniversity of Hertfordshire, UKIntroduction: The use of prescription stimulants for cognitive enhancement by healthy university students, identified as the largest cohort of cognitive enhancer (CE) users, is of growing interest. The purpose of this study was to look at the understanding, perception, experience, and level of access of CEs among healthy university students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods: The study was conducted in six highly competitive university programmes. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 university students to discuss their own experiences and those of their friends and peers regarding the use of prescription stimulants. In addition, semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven teaching faculty staff members (Registered pharmacists and Medical doctors) to explore their views on the use of CEs in their university. Results: Data were analysed thematically for the identification of themes and subthemes within the data using coding. It was found that, ‘Adderall’ was the most common prescribed CE drug and caffeine supper strength pills were the most common non-prescribed CE drug, both reported to enhance concentration, motivation, and meet academic deadlines. Conclusions: It is expected that the findings of this study will be of interest to a wide range of services in UAE universities. This will enable them to raise awareness about the use of CEs among students.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667118223000715 |
| spellingShingle | S. Sharif S. Fergus A. Guirguis N. Smeeton F. Schifano Assessing Prevalence, Knowledge and Use of Cognitive Enhancers among University Students in the United Arab Emirates: A quantitative study Emerging Trends in Drugs, Addictions, and Health |
| title | Assessing Prevalence, Knowledge and Use of Cognitive Enhancers among University Students in the United Arab Emirates: A quantitative study |
| title_full | Assessing Prevalence, Knowledge and Use of Cognitive Enhancers among University Students in the United Arab Emirates: A quantitative study |
| title_fullStr | Assessing Prevalence, Knowledge and Use of Cognitive Enhancers among University Students in the United Arab Emirates: A quantitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessing Prevalence, Knowledge and Use of Cognitive Enhancers among University Students in the United Arab Emirates: A quantitative study |
| title_short | Assessing Prevalence, Knowledge and Use of Cognitive Enhancers among University Students in the United Arab Emirates: A quantitative study |
| title_sort | assessing prevalence knowledge and use of cognitive enhancers among university students in the united arab emirates a quantitative study |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667118223000715 |
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