Prevalence and Awareness of BDZ misuse among adult people in Sylhet city

Background: Benzodiazepines (BZDs) are commonly prescribed for anxiety, insomnia, and other psychiatric conditions. However, misuse of BZDs has become a public health concern worldwide, including Bangladesh. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of BZD misuse and the level of awareness about its risks among adults in Sylhet city. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 320 adult participants in Sylhet city. Data were collected using structured questionnaires covering socio-demographic characteristics, sources of BZD acquisition, reasons and patterns of use, side effects, withdrawal symptoms, and awareness regarding BZD misuse. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to analyse the data. Results: The study found that 39.06% of participants were male and 60.93% female, with the highest BZD use observed in the 39–48-year age group (33.12%). A significant proportion obtained BZDs from friends or family (35%), while 30.62% used prescription drugs. The most common reasons for use were insomnia (41.25%) and anxiety (32.81%). Clonazepam (54.68%) and diazepam (37.5%) were the predominant drugs used. Side effects such as sleepiness/fatigue (30%) and dizziness (27.5%) were commonly reported. Withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety, insomnia, and irritability, were also observed. Only 55.62% of participants were aware of BZD misuse, with addiction being the most recognized risk. Awareness varied significantly by sex and education level (p