Increased Awareness: The Role of Education in Influencing Attitudes and Understanding of Nonmedical Prescription Stimulants use in Greek-life Associated Undergraduate Populations

Abstract

Specific Aims: To explore whether educational intervention of university students would improve their knowledge and perceptions of prescription stimulants. Subjects: Students between the ages of 18-22 years old who are current and enrolled members of a Greek Life organization that is recognized by a land-grant university in the Southwest. Methods: Questionnaires administered during a scheduled Greek Life chapter meeting that collected pre-presentation knowledge on general stimulant and prescription stimulant knowledge with a follow-up post-presentation questionnaire; additional data concerning age, ethnicity, and year of study was also collected. Main Results: Questionnaires were completed by 45 men (mean age = 19.96; SD = 1.31; 62% white). No advancement of knowledge regarding general stimulant and prescription stimulant knowledge was observed from the data analysis (p = 0.55). Conclusions: Verbal educational intervention as a sole monotherapy was not sufficient in changing the knowledge or attitudes regarding stimulants for a small portion of undergraduate students currently enrolled at a land-grant university in the Southwest who are actively involved in recognized Greek Life organizations. More studies with larger sample size need to be performed.