Introduction: Methylphenidate is a derivative of the amphetamines group, which is prescribed to improve efficacy, reduce sleep, develop euphoria and treat depression. It also serves as an enhancement of memory and facilitates learning by students during examinations. The aim of this study was to investigate the Methylphenidate consumption behaviors among students of Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, 2017.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study that has been done on 150 university students who selected randomly from all medical fields. Data collected by a questionnaire included demographic data and questions about behavior and motivation of Methylphenidate abuse. Collected data analyzed by statistical methods in SPSS version 16.
Results: Of all students, 52.6% were female and rest of them was male with mean age of 22.2±6 years. Of all students, 38 (25.3%) had Methylphenidate abuse. Most and least abuse of Methylphenidate was among medicine and hygiene students with 30.4% and 5%, respectively. In terms of Methylphenidate consumers, impairment in thinking and memory with 81.6% and increasing the self confidence with 63.2% was the least and most motivation for Methylphenidate abuse. 65.8% of them, known the consumers as people with high self confidence and 39.5% known them inexpert people.
Conclusion: Results showed that Use of non-prescriptive stimulant drugs among students specially males were prevalent and is considered as a high-risk behavior that should be monitored and controlled in the future with the necessary planning.