Use of sedative pharmacological agents among biomedical students during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: a cross-sectional pilot study

AIM: To assess the use of sedative pharmacological agents (SPA) among students in Croatia during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. METHODS: An online questionnaire, specially developed for the research purposes, was completed by 1403 students. The questionnaire inquired about general characteristics, the effect of the pandemic and earthquakes on students’ lives, and SPA use (method of purchasing, modes, and frequency). RESULTS: In the total sample, the SPA use before the pandemic significantly correlated with that after the beginning of the pandemic (P < 0.001). After the beginning of the pandemic, medical students used significantly more SPA than other biomedical students (P = 0.017). When compared with non-biomedical students, biomedical students did not differ significantly in SPA use after the beginning of the pandemic (P = 0.365). CONCLUSION: Medical students used more SPA than other biomedical students. Biomedical students did not differ in SPA use from non-biomedical students.