SEDATIVES AND HYPNOTICS IN STOCKHOLM - SOCIAL-FACTORS AND KINDS OF USE

Objectives. The aims of the study were (1) to estimate prevalence rate of current, regular, and long-term use of sedatives and hypnotics and the incidence of regular use in an urban population and (2) to study the association between such use of drugs and sociodemographic factors , symptoms of disease, and alcohol consumption. Methods. Data on drug use in a random sample of 6217 adults in Stockholm County were analyze d with logistic regression. Results. The prevalence rate for current u se of sedatives or hypnotics was 12.8% among men and 18.6% among women ; the rate for regular use was 3.7% among males and 4.7% among females . The odds ratio for current use increased with age and was higher amo ng unemployed persons and disability pensioners, high consumers of alc ohol, person with an increased level of symptoms, and widows. More tha n 25% of the persons who had used sedatives or hypnotics during the pr evious 2 weeks were regular users 6 months later. For persons aged 25 through 64 years, the annual incidence rate was 1.8% among men and 2.7 % among women. Conclusions. The comparatively low incidence and high p revalence of regular use implies that long-term use of sedatives and h ypnotics is common.