Anxiolytic Medication Use in Low- Middle- and High-Income Countries: A World Mental Health Surveys Report.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Anxiolytic medications, particularly benzodiazepines, are widely prescribed, giving impetus to long-standing debates about how often these agents should be employed in clinical practice. There are, however, few cross-country studies of the pharmacoepidemiology of these agents. We report on the frequency of anxiolytic medication use, reasons for use, and perceived effectiveness of use in general population surveys across 20 countries.

Methods

Face-to-face interviews with community samples totaling n = 49,919 respondents in the World Health Organization World Mental Health (WMH) Surveys asked about anxiolytic medication use anytime in the prior 12 months in conjunction with validated fully structured diagnostic interviews. Treatment questions were administered indep

SUBMITTER: Stein DJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12755120 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature