PREVALENCE AND SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC CORRELATES OF BENZODIAZEPINE USE IN AMETROPOLITAN POPULATION

In conjunction with a population survey of the prevalence of hypertens ion, conducted in Vienna, the consumption of benzodiazepines was inves tigated. In cooperation with a public opinion survey institute a quota sample of 1470 Viennese aged over 15 years was visited in their homes by 50 physicans trained in interview techniques. The quota sample com prised 0,959% of the population of 1 531 346 inhabitants and was repre sentative in terms of age, sex, social status and area of residence. 5 ,3% of the probands took Benzodiazepines often, frequently or at least sometimes. Female sex and higher age correlated significantly with Be nzodiazepine use, which was furthermore significantly influenced by th e presence of psychopathological symptoms and the responder's subjecti ve feeling of being under stress. Co-medication and physical illness w ere correlated with a higher benzodiazepine use.